4-8, ABBEY LANE

SAFFRON WALDEN

TL5338 ABBEY LANE 669-1/1/2 (North side) 01/11/72 Nos.4-8 (Consecutive)

GV II

Row of houses. Originally built 1840-1850 to provide housing for employees of the Gibson family, later given to the Almshouse Trustees. Gault brick, slate roofs. U-plan. Single storey range with 2 storey end cross-wings. Front, S elevation: central low range has 3 projecting gabled porches with 4-centred arched doorways, central door original with lower flush panels, 2 upper panels now glazed. Outer doors C20, similar. 6 windows along range all of 3 lights, plain lattice glazing with moulded labels. 2 tall stacks symmetrical along range. E and W cross-wings have decorative barge-boards and window of 3 lights in stone with moulded labels and rectangular frame containing 4-centre arched head with intersecting tracery. Tall diagonally set paired shafts rise from dentilled stacks at junction with central range and behind these another large stack to rear. E cross-wing has basement door with steps and cast-iron decorative railings across frontage. A single bayed continuation on E side with first floor window or 2 lights similar to others on cross-wings, doorway below has label, door has 2 upper glazed panels and lower battened panel. Rear N elevation: red brick central range, 2 storey (ground sloping down S-N). Each house unit has ground and first floor segment headed windows, sashes with glazing bars, ground floor sliding, 6x3 panes, first floor double-hung 4x4 panes, also C20 flat roofed single storey addition with upper glazed door and small casement window to yard. W end cross-wing, red brick, simple moulded barge-boards, first floor segment headed window with sashes, 4x4 panes, also blind window, ground floor, C20 glazed door in segment headed doorway adjacent C20 casement window. E cross-wing similar. W end elevation: flank wall of cross-wing with segment headed doorway, door C20, 4 panels, upper 2 have leaded glazing. First floor, two 3-light traceried windows, labels as front. (White M: Saffron Walden's History: Saffron Walden: 1991-: 94).

Listing NGR: TL5364438362