27 AND 29, WELL LANE

This is a mid-16th century house, now divided into two separate dwellings at 27 and 29 Well Lane. Number 27 was altered in 1692, and a mid-18th century rear wing was added. The original construction is rendered over a timber frame, while the rear wing is built of Flemish bond red brick. The roofs are gabled and covered with old tiles, with rendered brick stacks.

The main part of the house dates to the mid-16th century, consisting of a central two-storey hall. To the left is an original service range, which was heightened in 1692. Evidence suggests a former cross wing existed to the right, but it has since been demolished. A mid-18th century rear wing was added to create a double-pile plan. The front elevation is two storeys high with a three-window arrangement. There are flat rendered arches above 20th-century doors on either side and late 19th-century three-light casement windows with glazing bars.

The rear elevation, also two storeys and three windows wide, dates to the mid-18th century and features ground-floor segmental arches and first-floor flat arches over 20th-century three-light windows.

The interior of Number 29 on the right retains exposed 16th-century timber studding with passing braces. The ground floor has chamfered beams and plain joists. One first-floor room features a stop-chamfered wall post to a tie beam, with chamfered arch bracing and a central mortice for a former crown post. Studwork from the former cross wing remains at the rear. A chimney stack has been inserted into what was previously a through passage on the left side. The mid-18th century rooms at the rear have beaded segmental-arched wooden fireplace surrounds and two-panelled doors.

Inside Number 27, surviving timber framing from the mid-16th century house is visible. There are inserted floor joists to a chamfered beam. The building was originally of one and a half storeys, but was remodeled and raised to two storeys in 1692. An open fireplace on the right has inscribed initials and dates 1692 and 1708. A first-floor partition has a door post inscribed with a message attributed to Jacob Panett and his family, relating to payment for the work and the construction date of 1692. Evidence remains of a former partition below. There are 18th-century panelled doors with H hinges, and the roof structure consists of side purlins, which is a remnant of a couple rafter or crown post roof.