30, High Street

ROCHESTER HIGH STREET TQ 7468 NW 7/51 No 30 23.8.74 GV II Shop, formerly a pair of houses with shops. Early C16 with C17 and later alterations. Timber framed with plaster render; Kent clay tile roof. Two short identical jettied face the street and are attached at the rear to a cross wing that occupies the full width of the site; it appears to be of a single build (see the wall plate of the jettied ranges securely morticed into the front wall plate of the cross wing). The principal domestic quarters (certainly by the C17) were situated in the crosswing. 2 storeys with attic. Exterior. Front: 4 window range, the old work symmetrical, with 2 gables. C20 shop front retaining C19 panelled pilasters. Jettied 1st floor (with exposed joists); widely-placed studs and interrupted rail at window sill level; 2-light casement windows (with latticed leading); ovolo-moulded surrounds and mullions, one window only original. Prominent bracketed guttering box. Weatherboarding to rear with 3 hornless sash windows. Interior. Much original framing visible with large downard braces both to external walls and internal partitions; central closed partition runs from street to rear wall, moulded to front ranges (cyma and cavetto); scroll and hollow step stops to ceiling beams, joists largely intact. At rear a complete wooden panelled room, c.1600; 4 tiers stile and muntin panels divided by Ionic pilasters with strapwork and fluted shafts; dentil cornice with consoles. Fireplace overmantel has 2 arched compartments, one with trompe l'oeil perspective; strapwork pilaster divisions, and flanked by paired terms on plith. Roof: probably side purlin.

Listing NGR: TQ7423368691