Crown Hotel And Former Coffee House Cafe

The Crown Hotel and former Coffee House Cafe is an important late 16th century building located on the west side of High Street. It features a timber frame and plaster exterior, painted black and white, and stands three storeys tall with a slight overhang on each level supported by enriched brackets. The ground and first storeys have restored oak mullioned and transomed windows with leaded casements, while the second storey showcases continuous gallery windows with similar restored features. To the left, there is a covered way leading to a modern entrance for the hotel, and a recessed modern shop front at number 26. The building has a tiled roof with gabled ends and includes a good 18th century assembly room at the rear, along with 19th century additions.

Inside, the second floor was originally a continuous gallery but was partitioned off, likely in the 18th century. There is an interesting 18th century enclosed bar in the hall that has been well restored. The original "Crown" was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1583, and the current structure was built shortly after that event. It appears to have served as the chief inn of the town, where the Duke of Monmouth dined in 1682. The Crown Hotel is part of a group with nos. 12, 16, 18A, 18, 20, 20A, and nos. 22 to 28 (even).