Guessens

This is a timber-framed house, likely dating from the 17th century or earlier, that was significantly remodelled around 1730. In the early 19th century, an extension was added to the south, and an extension to the north was constructed in the early 20th century. The northern extension connects to a late 18th-century former storehouse at the extreme north end. The main block is plastered and three stories high, with five recessed sash windows set within simple, raised surrounds. A door was added on the left side during the early 19th century and features glazed side lights and a wide moulded cornice hood. The building has a modillioned parapet. A two-window (one dummy) red brick block extends to the south, and a yellow brick extension with three sash windows projects towards the north. The northern range is constructed of red brick and has a machine-tiled hipped roof, a modillioned brick cornice, and four shallow recesses. The rear elevation of the central block has a full-height wing to the south, with a moulded eaves cornice, floor bands, and four recessed sash windows. Inside, a hall with fielded panelling and a barley twist baluster staircase dates from around 1730. A room on the north front of the first floor contains an early to mid-17th-century red brick fireplace with diamond cut arrises and stop-chamfered lintel. The house was the home of Dr Edward Young, poet, dramatist, and rector of Welwyn, from 1730 to 1765.