12 And 14, Market Hill

A timber-framed shop and office building situated on Market Hill in Saffron Walden, dating to the early 16th century, with significant alterations in the mid-16th century and the 19th century, and a rear addition constructed in the 19th century. The building has a complex 'H' shaped plan, comprising a central range with jettied cross-wings to the north and south, and a long, rear lean-to extension to the north wing, with a further deep lean-to addition on the north side into the rear yard.

The western front, which slopes with the site, features a 20th-century brick plinth at the northern end. The central range has a large single-paned window to the north, and a projecting shop window, in an early 19th-century style, with 5x4 panes and side lights to the south. The south cross-wing retains exposed jetty joists. A shallow bow window with restrained moulding and 7x4 panes, along with a wooden barred cellar grille, is positioned centrally on the ground floor, with a 20th-century door above it featuring 2x3 panes and recessed lower panels. A 3-light casement window with glazing bars (6x4 panes) is located on the first floor. A prominent stack, constructed of red and yellow brick with remains of a triglyph frieze, rises from the roof apex of the north cross-wing. On the north cross-wing, the soffits of the jetty joists are exposed, displaying evidence of original brackets. The ground floor is punctuated by a 3-light casement window with leaded panes and a recessed 20th-century doorway with an over-light and a 20th-century door with a fielded lower panel and full upper glazing. The first floor incorporates a triple sash window in an early 19th-century style.

The eastern rear elevation is largely obscured, although the central range has a short lateral stack at the north end and a gabled dormer window to the south. The north wing features a timber-framed rear addition with a single-pitch slated roof facing Church Street. The south cross-wing clearly shows earlier and additional rear additions, with 19th-century lower brickwork and a gable end stack. A large slated lean-to extends from the north side, timber-framed with a 20th-century timber extension across the full width of the yard. An upper entry doorway towards the east end appears to be formed from an earlier slated dormer window. The north end elevation to Church Street has 20th-century windows; the principal block has a plain sash window on the ground floor and a single-light casement on the first floor. A rear single-storey addition features a slated roof and two single-light casement windows.

The interior, partially inspected, reveals several features. The north cross-wing, consisting of two bays, contains a simple, robust, 2-way braced crown-post roof and a chalk cut cellar. The south cross-wing, of two bays, is a separate structure from the central hall and retains remains of a crown-post roof with a major stack. Evidence of a second phase of construction extends to the rear, also incorporating crown-post roof elements. Tie-beams with crown-posts have been cut away throughout the range. A small 19th-century addition is constructed of brick and timber. The central range roof appears to have been rebuilt in a simple side-purlin form.