The Almshouses The School House

TL 5050 BABRAHAM HIGH STREET (North-West Side)

8/47 The School House and 22.11.67 Nos. 1,2,3, and 4, The Almshouses

II*

Three dwellings, formerly a school and six almshouses. 1732, inscribed stone plaque 'THIS SCHOOL AND HOSPITAL WERE ERECTED AND ENDOW'D BY THE MUNIFICENCE OF MRS JUDITH BENNET DAUGHTER OF Sr LEVINUS BENNET BARc AND AUGMENTED BY LIBERALITY OF JAMES BUSH ESQre AND LEVINUS BUSH ESQre HIS SON ANNO Dmi ; 1732'. The school buildings were in use till 1959. The almshouses were converted to four dwellings in 1959-60. Walls of red brick coursed in header bond with gauged brick dressings and plain tiled roofs. Symmetrical plan, two storey pedimented central block with single storey wings. Each wing originally with three one-roomed houses now converted to two. Main entrance facade: central block with side stacks, moulded wooden eaves cornice and enrichment to pediment; gauged brick band between floors and gauged brick window arches. Wooden doorcase with shallow hood supported on shaped brackets, four-flush-panelled door with stone plaque above. Two ground floor and three first floor C20 casement windows in original openings. Wings with end stacks, parapet gables, and ridge stacks. Original entrances altered to two with half-glazed doors and rectangular fanlights in each wing, and with one original casement window with small panes and two C20 casement windows.

R.C.H.M. Report 1951 V.C.H., Vol. VI, p29 Pevsner. Buildings of England, p294

Listing NGR: TL5129750419