55-63, HIGH STREET

SOUTHWOLD

TM5076 HIGH STREET 588-1/7/55 (South West side) 22/11/71 Nos.55-63 (Odd)

GV II

Row of 5 or 6 houses; now 5 shops with flats over. Late C16, cased in red brick in late C17; left gable rebuilt in early C18; C18, C19 and C20 extensions at rear: converted to present use c1910. Timber frame encased in colourwashed brick; plain tile roof with 3 brick stacks, 2 on ridge, 1 at right end. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys and dormer attic; 8-window front. Late C17 front had pilaster strips divided by first floor platband forming recessed panels in which windows were set: some evidence of panelling remains. On ground floor are five early-mid C20 plate glass shop fronts and doors. Upper floor lit through seven 8/8 unhorned sashes and one 6/6 unhorned sash. Brick dentilled eaves cornice. Two raking dormers have 2-light casements. Right gable end is stepped (now incorporated in adjoining property). INTERIOR: C16 range one room deep. Timber frame with jowled principal studs, cruciform chamfered bridging beams; roof of principals, 2 tiers butt purlins and curved windbraces. Most windbraces missing. Ground floors altered. Nos 55-57 with re-used early C16 spine beam to ground floor front: multiple roll mouldings die into run-out stop. Inscription from Tyndale's 1525 Bible, in English, most of which is visible: `But when thou prayest entere in (to thy) Chamber and shut thy doore to the(e) and praye to the father which is in secrete and thy Father which seyth in secret shall (reward thee openly)'. On first floor, No.61 has open fireplace under shallow 4-centred bressummer. Winder staircase survives to attic. (Jenkins AB: A Hundred Years of Southwold in Photographs: Southwold: 1983-: 17).

Listing NGR: TM5067876244