The Ancient House

The Ancient House, also known as Sparrows House, is a timber-framed and plastered building dating back to the 15th century. It was substantially re-adapted or rebuilt in 1567 by George Copping, and remained in the possession of the Sparrow family for over 200 years. The house is a very fine and well-preserved example of its type, with much original detail intact.

The main block is two storeys and attics, with a jettied upper storey. The north front features four fine, rounded bay windows with leaded lights and arched transoms. The panels beneath the bays are decorated with pargetted figures representing America, Africa, Asia, and Europe, with a coat of arms in the centre panel. Pilasters on pedestals with further decorative pargeting are positioned between the first-storey bay windows. The ground storey now has continuous windows inserted between the carved supporting shafts. A timber-framed and plastered wing extends south along St Stephen's Lane, also with a jettied upper storey featuring a moulded bressumer. This wing has three windows, two casements with leaded lights, and one double-hung sash window with glazing bars.

A small courtyard at the rear contains a jettied upper storey with exposed timber-framing, ornamental bracing, and continuous mullioned and transomed windows with leaded lights. The roof is tiled, with four large gabled dormers on the north front boasting pargeted gable decoration, and a heavy projecting eaves cornice.

The interior is also notable, featuring ornamental ceilings and a staircase with twisted and moulded balusters. A grand room on the first storey, measuring 46 feet in length, has a panelled ceiling with heavy plaster ornamentation. Original panelling and a fireplace are also present.

The building is part of a group of buildings with numbers 18 to 30 (even) and 21 to 41 (odd) on Butter Market.