20, St Swithin'S Lane

No 20 St Swithin's Lane is a late 18th century or early 19th century house located in a courtyard. The building likely incorporates elements from an earlier structure. It is constructed of yellow stock brick and features a slate roof.

The house has two storeys and five bays, with a brick band course at the first floor level. The sash windows have glazing bars and are set in gauged brick heads. The front elevation is set back and includes radiused quoin and re-entrants, with an entrance bay to the left that has double doors and moulded architecture. A later mansard roof is topped with pedimented dormers.

Inside, there is a plain contemporary staircase. The courtyard contains a single storey and has vaulted cellars beneath the house, crane house, and yard. There is an extensive range of late 18th century brick vaulted cellars that were used until recently by the Sandeman Port Company. Additionally, there is a small stone vaulted cellar at a lower level under the entrance arch, which was once larger but has been blocked at both ends by brick walls. This cellar likely dates to the 14th century and is made of neatly laid courses of chalk block, featuring a larger springer course. The walling includes several knapped flints, typical of 14th century construction, as well as narrow medieval tiles, making it a rare survival.

The yard is paved with granite sets, creating an attractive group scene, and there are wrought iron gates leading to the entrance arch. The listing is graded due to the rarity of the crane and the medieval cellar.