Essex House

Essex House, located at No 20 Sewardstone Street, was built in 1767. The building features chequer brickwork made of red stretchers and grey headers, with a roof that is concealed behind a parapet. It stands three storeys tall with a basement, and includes a plinth, dentil, and moulded brick cornice. The façade has five sash windows with glazing bars set in flush frames, which are topped by flat arches, while the central window arches are scalloped. The entrance boasts an eight-fielded panelled door, with two of the panels now glazed, situated beneath a cut bracketed doorhood. Essex House was inhabited in the early 19th century by Samuel Howell, a poet known for his works on Essex scenery. The building is listed partly for its historical interest. The rainwater heads date to 1722 and feature the initials IWS.