55, High Street

ORWELL HIGH STREET TL 3650 (North side) 14/275 No. 55 GV II

House. Probably late C16 origin, but mid C17 crosswing, and C19 main range. Renovated and extended late C20. Timber framed, rendered and tiled roofs. mid-late C17 red brick and clunch stack between main range and crosswing. Two storeys. Crosswing originally jettied at both south and north ends. The north end jetty has been removed and the wing extended, late C20. The jetty on the front has shaped brackets but is otherwise obscured. Late C20 fenestration to one window opening at each storey and to the east wall. However in the west wall of the crosswing there are ovolo moulded mullions to an original window opening. Two, three-light windows with larger lights and unmoulded mullions are on the first floor of the east wall. Window of two lights in west wall, at the rear. Now partly obscured. C19 main range is a rebuild of the original hall. Brick, painted and tiled. Two storeys. Doorway, inserted opposite the stack. Rear gable stairturret and possible garderobe between main range and crosswing. Framed, rendered and tiled. Interior: Part of the chimney breast of the late C16 house is visible from the roof. The chimney was widened and rebuilt later in C17 when the crosswing was added. The hearths are of clunch and red brick. Roofs have been mostly rebuilt, including that of the crosswing although a pair of rafters remains. Clasped side purlin roof. Arch braced ties and jowled posts to first floor chamber. Smaller hearth to this room. Framing of varied scantling, and generally typical of later C17. Original roof over stair turret.

R.C.H.M.: West Cambs. Mon. (20)

Listing NGR: TL3660050434