White Hart Hotel

The White Hart Hotel dates back to the 18th century, with evidence indicating earlier origins in the 17th century, revealed during restoration work in the late 20th century. The hotel is constructed of red brick, enhanced by broad stone pilasters at the corners, horizontal bands at each upper floor, and a moulded cornice below a plain parapet with stone coping. The main facade has a central entrance flanked by three window bays on each side. Seven tall sash windows are set within broad frames, fluted on the ground floor, and are framed by moulded architraves that project from the wall. Stone cills are present, and each architrave features a bold keystone. A classical stone frame with a moulded cornice surrounds the entrance door, which consists of eight panels (six fielded), flanked by engaged and reeded columns. To the left is a carriageway, covered by a single storey structure with coved eaves and a steep tiled roof, leading to a yard where there are tile-hung and weatherboarded sections of the building.

The interior possibly consists of two storeys that were raised to three during the Georgian remodelling. A central hall features a stick baluster staircase. The hall and a front room on the right-hand side retain remnants of timber framing, including a joweled post. A bressumer is above the fireplace in the front right-hand side room, above which is a surviving tripartite coloured wall painting, uncovered around the 1980s. The centre panel depicts Prince of Wales (Charles II) feathers within a circular frame and painted drapes, bearing the date 1646. A panel to the left contains a thistle and flower motif. A first-floor room over the carriageway has an architrave to a former door opening, possibly from before the Georgian period. A timber roof retains sections of halved and pegged rafters, particularly in the room over the carriageway entrance, the rear slope, and in the rear right-hand side wing. A brick barrel-vaulted beer cellar, running longitudinally, is accessible via a winder stair from the back hall.

The White Hart Hotel forms a group with numbers 1 to 39 (odd), and the Court House on Church Street, contributing to their overall group value.