Victoria House

TL 3629 BUNTINGFORD HIGH STREET (west side)

7/48

19.10.51 No 41, (Victoria House) 22.2.67 and No 43

GV II*

Inn, now a house (41) and a shop (43). Front range C15 incorporating earlier N crosswing, C16 NW wing, front altered in early C18. Timber frame plastered at front, roughcast or dark weatherboarded rear parts. Steep old red tile roofs. A large 2- storeys U-shaped group, formerly the Angel Inn, with carriageway entrance to yard in the centre, and early C19 stair tower added in rear angle with jettied NW wing. Twin hollow-moulded blocked service doors on N side of carriageway and mortices for an axial partition in the bay to N suggest the cariageway represents the lower bay of the hall with parlour at S end with hipped later W extension. The front has a lower jettied and gabled crosswing at N end with rectangular oriel window on bold brackets to 1st floor and C19 3-light shop window and half-glazed door. More elaborate plasterwork on the rest of the front, with a deep coved cornice below the higher continuous front jetty, 6 foliate brackets, rusticated quoins to Ground floor, flush box triple sash windows with small panes flanking the carriageway, a 6-panel door (No 41) with Gibbs surround, exaggerated triple keystone and triangular pediment, a flush box sash window on left of door with moulded surround and 6/6 panes in broad glazing bars. Upper part in fan pargetting with 4 flush box sash windows with 6/6 panes, and overhanging eaves. Crown-post roof along front range with square posts and axial bracing to collar purlin. Remains of wallpaintings on Ground floor of No 41 around fireplace, of 2 periods. Earlier, ones of skillfull execution and solid colour with 2 angels holding Scrope arms on a shield and shield of the Trinity. Figure of saint between and sunburst patterned ground. Later work to left overlaps earlier work. Classical early C17 ornament, semi-nude shrouded figure and Roman lettered inscription. Elaborate moulded fireplace lintol. Interior of No 43 has exposed close-studding, tension braces, and heavy flat joists. (RCHM (1911)140 No 13: RCHM Typescript).

Listing NGR: TL3622229480