Old Eagles Public House

WHITCHURCH URBAN C.P. WATERGATE (south-west side) SJ 5441 8/130 No. 13 (Old Eagles Public House) GV II*

House, now public house. Probably C14, remodelled in the mid-C19. Timber framed, of cruck construction, partly rebuilt in painted brick. Slate roof. 2 framed bays. Former first-floor solar above ground-floor 2-room shop or business premises. 2 storeys. Dentil brick eaves cornice. Integral brick end stacks. Two-window front; 6-pane glazing bar sashes with painted stone cills and lintels. Roughly central 4-panelled door (lower 2 panels beaded flush) with doorcase consisting of Tuscan pilasters supporting entablature. Interior: substantial remains of C14 house. Unusual central truss of raised base cruck construction, consisting of chamfered tie-beam (supporting first floor), slightly curved chamfered blades and collar, and parallel pegged principal rafters. Ground-floor room with large spine beam running front to back. Formerly divided into 2 rooms (see mortices on underside of spine beam and remains of stud wall with tension brace). Remains of post-1720 staircase up to first floor with closed string, column- on-vase balusters, and C19 handrail and foot newel. Remains of C17 staircase from first floor to attic with closed string, splat balusters, and square newel post with moulded cap. First-floor old boarded door with wrought-iron strap hinges. Although altered externally this is a rare example of a medieval town house, particularly notable for its unusual framed construction.

Listing NGR: SJ5418841408