27- 28 Queen Street

This is a late 17th-century dwelling that was altered in the 18th and 19th centuries, re-fronted in the 20th century, and further modified during that period. The building is constructed of brick with stone dressings and has a slate roof, with timber sash windows. It has an L-shaped plan and its main frontage faces east onto Queen Street.

The building is of Queen Anne style. The main range is two storeys high with a hipped slate roof. The front elevation has five bays, with entrances in the first and fifth bays, both under semi-circular arches and with rendered surrounds; the southern entrance has a wrought iron gate. Three window openings are currently boarded up between the entrances. A stone cornice with modillions runs between the ground and first floors. At first floor level, there is a window in each bay except the central bay, which has been infilled with brick and now contains a projecting turret clock. The clock, which dates from the building’s previous use as a clock manufactory, has the inscription ‘JOHN SMITH & SONS/ CLOCK MAKERS’ above the clock faces. Timber six-over-nine sash windows are in every other bay on the first floor, each under a flat, rubbed brick arch. A further modillion cornice runs beneath the eaves, forming a semi-circular broken pediment at the centre of the elevation to accommodate the turret clock.

The north elevation is divided into two sections: a two-storey section at the front under the hipped roof, and a taller, three-storey section at the rear. The taller rear section has two 20th-century casement windows at second floor level and is otherwise solid and rendered. The south elevation has no openings and is blind.

The interior was remodelled in the early 20th century, and contains re-used fittings and features from earlier phases of the building. These include a 17th-century panelled room at the rear, a newel post staircase, and a marble fireplace. Further oak panelling, of uncertain date, is present in the entrance hall. Some of the original 17th-century timber roof structure is visible at the north west end of the building.