The Pump House

This is a large house, likely dating from the 16th century, with substantial modifications in the 17th and 18th centuries, and further alterations in the early 19th century, resulting in a near-symmetrical, “E” shaped facade. It is a two-storey, four-window house with a steep, old red tiled roof, extending to the rear along Drury Lane on the left. Originally a timber-framed building, it included lower, two-storey cross wings and likely an open hall. The building was made two storeys throughout, with a large cruciform central chimney added near the centre of the main range, and a T-shaped internal gable chimney at the rear of the south wing, both in the 17th century. In the 18th century, the timber frame was covered with plaster and dressed as ashlar, and the wings were given roofs that matched the main roof, with a moulded dentil cornice and a cable-moulded string course. Early 19th century sash windows, square in proportion, are set within moulded architraves on the front. A pilastered and pedimented porch, in a Regency style, provides access via a door with two vertical panels. The ground floor windows have 10 panes each, while those above have 8/8 panes. A glazed door has been added beside the window of the left-hand wing (No. 18) as a separate entrance. A tiled gable canopy, with a modillioned open pediment on shaped brackets, shelters the side door leading to Drury Lane. A three-window, two-storey rear wing sits lower to the ground and is plastered similarly, but has a roof with a lower pitch. A blocked door is located before the final window. The original north end wall, showing heavy timbers and a tension brace, is visible within a shop. The building was recorded as "The Feathers" in 1637, a smithy in 1671, and later served as a coachmaker's and a builder's business. A blocked carriageway and a two-storey range constructed of weatherboard and slate, extending north along the High Street, are part of No. 18. The section of this range nearest to The Pump House has differing floor levels and features a flush sash window on the upper floor with 4/8 panes and a moulded architrave. A modern three-light bay window with small panes protrudes slightly on the ground floor. This historic timber-framed house is of exceptional interest as the largest in the village and a prominent feature on the High Street, set at a bend near the pump in the centre of the village conservation area.