32 And 34, Church Street

This building on Church Street, originally reputed to be of early medieval origin, has undergone substantial later work and restoration. It was formerly the Manor of Bengeworth and the residence of the priors of Evesham Abbey. The building, now divided into two separate dwellings (Nos. 32 and 34), was restored in 1975, which revealed several interior features. The construction is of rubble, partly cement rendered, with two storeys and a further two storeys plus attic to a projecting gabled bay facing the street. The roof is tiled.

No. 34 has two modern windows with glazing bars, an altered doorway with a rectangular fanlight, a bracketed weather hood, and a modern door. No. 32 is more noteworthy, featuring a large lateral chimney base projecting to the street and a doorway on its return side. The doorway likely dates to the 15th century, with a massive iron-studded ledged door and an early wrought iron knocker. The windows are generally modern, and alterations have been made to the rear.

Inside No. 32, there are good late 15th century moulded ceiling beams in the living room. A cusp-headed stoup is set into the wall at first floor level, to the side of the present staircase and a blocked Norman arch is located in the rear wall at ground floor level. This arch displays zig-zag mouldings.