6, 7 And 7A (Nash House), New Street

Nash House, located at 6, 7, and 7A New Street, is a house built in 1605 for the Nash family, with later additions and alterations including changes made around 1674 and restorations in the 20th century. The building features a timber frame with a plain tile roof and three diamond brick stacks at the rear. It has a close-studded design with jetties on each storey and panels of square framing at the back.

The exterior consists of four storeys and three bays, with three gables facing the street. The ground floor has renewed doors on the right and left, one being a board door and the other a glazed door. It is supported by four chamfered posts with renewed jowels and five column-cluster stanchions. The bressumer beams have double-ovolo moulding, which has been renewed in parts, and each jetty is supported by corbel brackets. Most windows have been renewed to casement style, but four small two-light windows with ovolo-moulded mullions remain on the first and second floors.

Inside, the ground floor features chamfered spine beams with ogee stops and arch braces. The upper levels retain square panels of timber framing. The roof includes butted and trenched purlins with splayed scarf joints that are slightly joggled and bridled.

Historically, the house was under construction when Richard Nash died in 1605. He bequeathed it to his son, John Nash, who was an alderman and benefactor in Worcester. John lived at Nos 5 and 6 New Street but left Nash House to his kinsman, Richard Nash of Droitwich, who moved in and made alterations in 1674, adding two new chimneys and coach access, and likely gave the house its name. John Hughes, another alderman, purchased the house in 1689. Nash House and the nearby Greyfriars both feature a frieze of scrollwork dragons and a sheaf-like motif.