History

Large inn probably of C16 origin, with C17 alterations and additions of c1900.

Exterior

Large inn of pebble-dashed rubble construction with stucco and painted brick dressings; slate roofs, those to the primary section steeply-pitched. The building is of 2 storeys and consists of a primary L-plan block with 2 near contemporary gabled ranges to the rear and side and a taller extension of c1900 adjoining at right-angles to the street. The primary block has a massive stone central chimney to the right-hand range and an angled entrance extruded in the angle; C19 storeyed porch projection with pilasters, stringcourse and oculi in painted brick. This has a recessed boarded door with cambered head and elongated (painted) voussoirs; sash windows to the ground floor with 8-pane upper and 2-pane lower sections, and with heads as before. Small C19 4-pane sash windows to the first floor with projecting sills and some with decorative stucco surrounds. Modern windows to the rear ranges, that to the W (R) with shallow-pitched roof and 2 squat brick chimneys (both of c1900 and reduced). A high rubble wall adjoins flush with this range and projects to the rear, partly enclosing a small yard; there is a large sloping buttress where the wall meets the end of the range. The c1900 block is of painted brick and has a 2-window main (NE) facade. This has large wooden mullioned and transomed windows with brick cambered heads, projecting keystones and moulded brick banding between 2 floors. Slated lean-to to the front R, with a plain rendered chimney to the R gable end. The L (street-facing) end has a moulded brick parapet with terracotta ball finials and a steep lean-to roof connecting with a shallow gable.

Interior

Lobby-entry plan. A ground-floor plaster overmantel (now obscured in a passage outside the ladies toilet) bears the date1643, together with the initials IFF and a double-headed eagle in relief. Further, crude plasterwork initials ('E I R') and ribbed decoration survive in the main bar; large inglenook fireplace with exposed bressummer. A first-floor bedroom is recorded as having plasterwork decoration with the date 1627 and the initials FR (not seen during the inspection).

Reasons for Listing

Listed for its special interest as a historic town inn with C16 origins retaining good original charcter, including dated internal C17 plasterwork.

Group value with other listed items on Back Row.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q29481405

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5
• 
  London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)