Bell Inn

WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE THE STREET SU 8276-8376 (east side)

20/6 Bell Inn 25.3.55 G.V. II*

Inn, now public house. c1400, altered late C16. Timber frame, part painted brick and part painted render infill; old tile gabled roof. Wealden plan with one framed bay hall and two, 2-framed bay cross wings. The left hand wing contains the cross passage. 2 storeys and cellar. Chimney on right gable end. Leaded casement windows, some probably early C18. Road (west) front: symmetrical. Centre section recessed with coved eaves and large braces to front wall plate; jettied cross wings underbuilt in brick. Centre section has a 3-light window on first floor within coved eaves, and C19 square bay window on ground floor. Left-hand wing has a 2-light window on first floor and a 3-light window on ground floor with bottom-hinged folding shutter. On the right is a 4-centred arched door to the cross passage with old plank door. 3 large, plain jetty brackets. Right hand wing has a 2-light window on first floor, and a 3-light window on ground floor with similar shutter; and a 4-centred arched door with chamfered frame and a C20 plank door. 3 large jetty brackets. South gable has some replacement timbers. North gable adjoins Bell Cottage listed separately (20/5). Interior: fine timber frame exposed with heavy section timbers. Cross passage has two, 4-centred arched openings to former service wing which is now in part a cellar. Chamfered joists with chamfers and plain stops inserted probably C16, within former hall. C17 panelling in ground floor of right hand wing, which also contains a window with diamond mullions and transoms, moulded on the inside. Behind the C19 bay window in the centre is another older window with a shutter groove. Redundant crown post roof, with side purlins and wind braces, and smoke-blackened timbers over former hall. All the posts have large jowls and there are large tension braces on the first floor.

V.C.H., Vol.III, p.179, B.O.E.(Berkshire), p.251.

Listing NGR: SU8296876910