Old Town Hall

TL 6222 GREAT DUNMOW MARKET PLACE (E side) 7/98 Old Town Hall

GV II

Offices, former Town Hall and former Guild Hall. C15 and later, timber framed and plastered, but with timber frame exposed on ground floor. Gabled peg tile roof with pyramid roofed bell cupola off-centre on ridgeline. Of 2 storeys, but upper floor increased in height in C19. Jettied towards W and S. Front towards Market Place has large C20 oriel on brackets on first floor with hexagonal leaded lights. The gable over has C19 bargeboards and clockface. Ground floor, has entrance door in lean-to on N. side and wide C20 mullioned and transomed window. At the SE corner is a heavy dragon post and 'bracket. S elevation has 3 large C20 mullioned and transomed oak windows witlh hexagonal leaded lights over a series of C20 leaded lights mostly fixed between the studs. The interior reveals 3 bays of heavy timber framing with chamfered 'bridging joists and dragon beam. The posts have slight shoulders and arch braces. The first floor was raised and converted in C19, to form meeting room, with spectators gallery and has C19 roof structure of 'Jacobean' character with false, arch braced hammerbeam trusses with drop pendants. Local tradition is that it was formerly the Guild Hall of St. John. RCHM 16.

Listing NGR: TL6273422012