12 And 14, High Street

A row of two houses, dating to about 1500, which have undergone alterations in the 17th, mid-18th, and mid-19th centuries, and were restored in the late 20th century. The building is now a single dwelling. It is timber-framed with brick and rendered infill, set upon a tall brick plinth, and has a plain and machine-tiled roof. The four main framed bays run north-east to south-west. A large chimney with a brick ridge stack is located at the junction of the two north-easternmost bays, and another chimney serves the two south-westernmost bays, acting as a baffle for the entrance. A lower, 19th-century bay is attached to the north-east end and features a large external chimney with offsets at its gable.

The building is a single-storey structure with an attic, containing dormers. The timber framing generally consists of three panels from the sill to the wall-plate and incorporates collar-and-tie beam trusses with struts. Close-set studding and large swept braces are visible on the north-west elevation of the two central bays, and on the south-westernmost bay. The south-west end bay appears largely reconstructed and likely dates to the 17th century.

The main north-west street elevation features two 3-light casement windows, one 2-light casement, and a 2-light mullioned window on the ground floor. Four gabled dormers, each containing a 2-light casement, are present above. A ledged and battened door, accessed by a flight of brick and sandstone steps, is located to the right of the second bay from the south-west end. The 19th-century bay to the left features a 3-light ground floor casement with a cambered head, and a ledged and battened door also with a cambered head.

Internally, much of the timber framing remains intact, incorporating reused timbers, including purlins. Back-to-back fireplaces are present, with one containing a bread oven. Original staircases survive at the rear of the chimneys, branching to provide separate access to each attic room. Some original doors, floorboards, and stone paving slabs (quarries) are also retained.