89, 91 & 93 High Street, Andover

The Angel Inn

This is a mid-15th century timber-framed, purpose-built, two-storey inn with cellars. Much of the original fabric survives, although the building has been substantially modified over the centuries. The Angel was originally designed as a rectangular courtyard-inn, with the principal east range fronting the High Street. The original contract documents specify that the High Street frontage measured 90 feet (27 metres) and the depth 80 feet (24.4 metres). The structural bays measure approximately 20 feet (6 metres) deep and 10 feet (3 metres) wide.

The building now comprises three separate properties: Nos 89, 91 and 93 High Street, with the northern gatehouse and chamber forming part of the neighbouring Angel Inn Public House (95 High Street), which is separately listed.

Exterior

The frontage of Nos 89, 91 and 93 High Street is faced in early 19th century red brick laid in Flemish bond, which encases the underlying timber frame. The façade displays six bays beneath a decorative eaves cornice, with a tiled roof hipped to the south end and a ridge stack at the junction with No. 95 High Street. The first floor windows are 19th century horned six-over-six sashes in exposed frames with rubbed brick flat arches. The ground floor has two inserted modern shopfronts: one occupying the three southern bays, and another occupying the adjoining two bays to the north. The northernmost bay features a classical doorcase with a fluted architrave and a heavily moulded rain hood with a lead roof supported on brackets.

The south elevation is blank, with a full height brick pier supporting the south-east corner as the adjoining modern building is single storey. The courtyard-facing west elevation includes a large flat-roofed modern extension of no architectural interest. The first floor to the north is lit by a tile-hung roof dormer containing three six-over-six hornless sash windows. To the south are two half-hipped gables with similar windows. The southernmost gable is the remnant of the former 15th century cross-wing, though the northern gable retains a higher percentage of historic timbers internally.

Interior

East and South Ranges

The east range is the hall range, fronting the High Street. Closely spaced mortices in the soffit of the wall-plate provide evidence that this elevation was originally close-studded, indicating an expensive and visually prominent original façade, particularly when infilled with early herringbone brick nogging.

The east range originally comprised three bays on the ground floor, two of which, to the south, formed the hall and were open to the ceiling. Above, at first floor level, was a two-bay chamber, partly oversailing the gateway. This area has since been subdivided, with the northern half forming part of No. 95 High Street.

The southern part of Nos 89, 91 and 93 High Street comprises the remnant of the south cross-wing at the east end of the former south range. Parts of three west-east bays survive; the remainder to the rear has been demolished. The original 15th century contract indicates that the south range originally echoed the form of the north range (now part of the Angel Inn Public House).

Cellars

Cellars survive beneath No. 89 (the remains of the former south range) and also below No. 93. The cellar to No. 89 is stone-built in flinty-rubble material with brick patches, and features ashlar piers separating the bays. Two blocked original windows with ashlar quoins open onto the High Street elevation. Towards the south-east corner is a straight joint with ashlar quoins indicating the former position of an original doorway, which would have provided access via steps up to street level. Modern access is via steep and narrow brick steps at the south-west corner. The west wall contains a blocked coal chute. Modern remodelling includes breeze block partitions and RSJs supporting the ceiling. The cellar to No. 93 was only visible through a floor hatch but appeared to be largely brick-built to the rear, with further rubble and ashlar construction to the High Street elevation.

Ground Floor

Little historic fabric is visible within the commercial premises now occupying the building, though the timber-frame is presumed to survive behind modern fascias and decoration. No visible historic fabric is evident within the ground floor of No. 89. A timber post is visible in the rear (west) wall of No. 93. Moulded cross-beams are evident, though heavily painted, in Nos 91 and 93, as are some simple cornices. Evidence of red and apparently original paintwork on ground floor timbers was identified during renovation works, indicating that the interior was originally rather colourful. Although no wattle and daub infill is visible in Nos 89, 91 and 93 High Street, this is presumed to survive behind modern surfaces, as it does to the north in No. 95.

First Floor

The first floor of No. 93 High Street preserves the magnificent exposed 15th century timber frame. The hall truss is a rare form of scissor-braced jointed-cruck with moulded decoration. The trusses at either end of the hall have curved queen struts flanking a central king strut. The partition forming the south end of the hall also subdivides the hall from the south cross-wing beyond. The wind braces and purlins to the hall are chamfered and were therefore intended to be exposed. The position of a louvre to allow the escape of smoke from the open hearth below can be discerned. A chimney stack is present in the north-east corner of the first floor, in what would have been the hall chamber, though no fireplace survives. Dark red paint was recorded on a post at the north end of the hall, again suggesting a formerly colourful interior.

The roof to the south cross-wing is of queen post construction. The frame indicates that there was a door to the west, at the junction of the hall and cross-wing, perhaps allowing access from the cross-wing to the rear gallery. There is no longer any evidence of a chimney to this chamber, but it may be that the fine stone chimney piece recorded as having been removed from the upper chamber of No. 89 High Street around 1970 originated here. This was elaborately carved with flowers and bore the coat of arms of William of Wykeham (c.1324–1404), Bishop of Winchester and founder of both Winchester College and New College, Oxford.

North Range

The 15th century timber-framed north range is part of the Angel Inn Public House and is therefore separately listed.

West Range

None of this range survives as upstanding fabric, but it originally contained chambers over a stable range with a western gate providing access to the courtyard.