Outbuilding To Rear Of 5

This is a 16th-century outbuilding, likely originally a dwelling, with later alterations. It is located at the rear of 5 St James Street in Castle Hedingham, a town developed below the de Vere castle built around 1140. The building is timber-framed and rendered externally, with a roof covered in a mix of slate and tiles.

The exterior framing includes a mid-rail, substantial wall posts, and studwork with straight through-and-halved bracing. The east elevation reveals part of a curved door surround. On the west elevation is an off-centre, truncated brick stack, a 20th-century door to the left (north), and two 19th-century windows at the first floor. The roof is a shallow gable with tiles on the eastern side and slate on the west.

Internally, portions of the original wall framing, including wall posts, studwork, and bracing, remain visible on the west side. There are 18th-century or later axial bridging beams on the ground floor. A 19th-century staircase with stick balusters leads to the first floor, which retains a 19th-century two-room layout. A 19th-century hob grate is located in one room, and a later 19th-century fireplace with a brick surround and a timber battened door in the other. The attic floor features a 19th-century bridging beam, two visible tie beams, and a wall plate.

Historically, Castle Hedingham was a typical castle town with a church and triangular marketplace (now Falcon Square). The outbuilding originally faced Falcon Square, King Street, and St James Street, and was used as a dwelling in the 19th century, accessed via an alley from St James Street. A 20th-century shop now blocks the alley, and the outbuilding serves as a warehouse.

The building is designated at Grade II for its survival of a significant amount of original fabric, and for its considerable group value alongside other listed buildings on Falcon Square, King Street, and St James Street.