Tallow Court

This building is a granary or warehouse, likely built in the 15th century. It is constructed with a timber frame, a rendered brick ground floor, and a pantile roof.

The building is rectangular and forms part of a long row of buildings extending east-west between Nene Quay and the High Street. It has a pitched roof and was originally jettied. A partially exposed moulded jetty rail and seven floor joists remain at the north-east corner. The ground floor has been extended outwards, aligning with the upper floor.

The main north elevation has a rendered brick ground floor with a large, 20th-century double-leaf timber door positioned slightly off-centre at the eastern end. The upper floor is close studded, with exposed rafter feet at the eaves, and features two vertical plank timber doors. A central section of brick ground floor has a large 20th-century double-leaf timber door. The upper floor of this section has been clad in weatherboarding, making it unclear whether the timber frame survives. The western end also has a large 20th-century double-leaf timber door and a weatherboarded upper floor with a small 20th-century window.

The east gable end has a plank and batten door and a weatherboarded upper floor with a small vertical plank door opening. The rear elevation's ground floor shows evidence of considerable repair and rebuilding in three phases of brickwork. The upper floor and the central section of the roof are clad in corrugated iron.

The interior is divided into two main sections. The western end has been converted for domestic use and was not inspected; the eastern section, used for storage, is divided into two rooms by a 20th-century partition of timber panels. The east side of this section has an inserted ceiling and a substantial bridging beam set diagonally across it. The western side features a chamfered bridging beam supported by posts, one of which is jowled, along with substantial joists, some of which appear to have been replaced. A mortise on the underside of the westernmost joist suggests a former wall partition.

Access to the upper floor is via a hatch in the eastern side, which was inaccessible during the site visit; the description is based on photographs taken in June 2015. These show a Queen post roof truss with purlins strengthened by wind braces. This truss style is not commonly found until the 17th century, suggesting the roof may have been rebuilt. Some rafters have been replaced and strengthened with slender timbers. Close studding with brick infill is exposed on the north and south walls; the north wall also has a tension brace. It is unclear if any original framing survives on the east and west gable walls.