The Old House

The Old House is a 17th-century red brick building located in Little Thurlow, originally founded as a school in 1614 by Sir Stephen Soame, who also established the almshouses. The building has two storeys and attics, featuring a three-window range where the central section projects forward and includes a porch on the ground floor. The windows are mullioned and transomed casements, which were renewed in the 20th century, and are framed by rusticated stucco surrounds. Above the Tudor arched doorway, there is a carved panel displaying Sir Stephen's coat of arms along with a Latin inscription that translates to "They deserve well of the Republic who take care to educate their children." The doorway retains its original boarded and studded door and lock, and the spandrels of the arch are adorned with carved foliated ornamentation. The roof is tiled, and there is a red brick chimney stack with three octagonal shafts set on a rectangular base. The Old House is part of a group that includes Manor Farmhouse, Gurton Barn, Trudgetts, Lavender Cottage, the Cock Inn, the Old Post Office, and several other nearby properties.