Astley House

RICKINGHALL INFERIOR THE STREET (NORTH WEST TM 0475 SIDE) 6/127 Astley House (formerly 15.11.54 listed as Bell Inn and Police Station) GV II House, latterly part of The Bell Hotel (q.v.) and a police station. C16 origins, raised, refronted and extended early C18, altered C19. Timber frame, plastered with a colourwashed red brick front. Steeply pitched plaintiled roofs. Original plan is obscure, 3 bay front with later additions to rear. 2 storeys. Steps up to a recessed, part raised fielded 6 panelled door, traceried fanlight, reeded doorcase with lozenges in frieze, projecting hood. Moulded flush frame 16 pane sashes, that to centre on first floor blocked or a dummy. Offset plinth, dentilled brick eaves. Left end stack adjoins The Bell Hotel. To rear left a 2 storey added bay with a pyramidal roof. To rear right a 1 storey bay links to an C18 brewhouse outbuilding with a central ridge stack. Interior: fragments of C16 framing, close studding with mid- rail, stop chamfered axial binding beam.

Listing NGR: TM0467875766