7, Athenaeum Lane

BURY ST EDMUNDS

TL8564SE ATHENAEUM LANE 639-1/8/190 (East side) No.7

GV II

House. C16 core; C18 alterations and a C19 extension. Timber-framed and rendered; C20 plaintiles. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys and cellar; 5 bays. The building abuts to the north and east on the Athenaeum (qv). The Athenaeum Lane frontage has random fenestration, including a 5-light continuous row of casement windows, part leaded, one 4-pane sliding-sash window to the upper storey, and a 6-pane sash window in a flush cased frame to the ground storey. The south end has a lean-to extension in red brick with an admixture of stone blocks and contains a large paired C20 replacement 18-pane sash window with a flush cased frame. A C20 extension along the east side. INTERIOR: cellar, lined with limestone blocks, is partly tunnelled and partly roofed with very heavy timber joists. In a niche, part of one reused medieval pillar. No timbers are exposed on the ground storey, but in both storeys there is a quantity of square Jacobean panelling. At the south end of the upper storey an open truss with straight tie-beam and solid arched braces suggests that the frame either extended further south or abutted against a former building. A long tension brace in the front wall. At the north end the walls of the upper room have C18 panelling with long upper panels and raised fielded panels to the dado. The roof contains some old timbers but is largely renewed. This seems to be the oldest building on the Athenaeum site.

Listing NGR: TL8552464118