The Angel Inn

The Angel Inn

The Angel Inn is a mid-15th century timber-framed, purpose-built inn of two storeys with cellar. Much of the original fabric survives, though it has been modified over the centuries. The building was constructed as a rectangular courtyard-inn with its principal east range fronting the High Street. According to the 15th century contract documents, the High Street frontage measured 90 feet (27 metres) and the depth 80 feet (24.4 metres), with bays approximately 20 feet (6 metres) deep and 10 feet (3 metres) wide.

Exterior

The High Street façade is faced in 18th century Flemish bond red brick, encasing the timber frame beneath. A classical broken pediment sits above the gate with an arched plaster panel at the gable that formerly carried the inn sign. The building features an exaggerated dentilled eaves cornice and a hipped tiled roof with a ridge stack at the junction with Nos. 89-91. A Venetian window sits above the arch, with another sash window to the north on the ground floor. The windows are 18th century unhorned sashes in exposed frames with rubbed brick flat and curved arches. A single-storey red brick extension of 19th century date with diaper work to the gable extends to the north.

The north elevation shows exposed timber framing with brick nogging at first floor level, though the ground floor is largely obscured by single-storey extensions of 19th and 20th century date.

The west elevation, facing the courtyard, features a tile-hung gatehouse chamber with a three-light wooden casement, each light having a pointed arch and tracery. South of the gatehouse, the tiled roof extends to ground floor level with a hornless sash window above. The upper floor is lit by dormers.

The north range's south elevation, facing the courtyard, displays exposed timber-frame at first floor level beneath a hipped tiled roof. The ground floor frame is concealed by a later lean-to with hornless sash windows of varying forms flanking a wide doorway and a further canted bay window to the west also fitted with hornless multi-paned sashes. This extension appears to date from the 18th century or very early 19th century.

Interior: East Range

The east range comprises four bays. The southern three bays originally formed the hall, now situated within the separately listed building Nos. 89-91 High Street. Evidence of close-studding survives here, since removed, indicating an expensive and showy original façade infilled with early herringbone brick nogging. The northern bay forms part of the present Angel Inn and originally contained the gateway at ground floor level providing access to the courtyard, with a chamber above. This chamber formerly occupied two bays, with its southern half oversailing the hall.

The gatehouse chamber's roof has queen posts and scissor bracing. The wind braces, tie beams and purlins are chamfered, indicating they were originally exposed to view. The north wall retains an exposed timber-framed wall in large panels with curved braces and wattle and daub infill. Evidence of red and apparently original paintwork was discovered on the ground floor timbers during renovation works, suggesting the interior was originally richly coloured.

Interior: North Range

The north range comprises two distinct parts. At the east end is a three-bay cross-wing which originally jetted out over the street. The clasped purlins of the queen post roof structure are chamfered, suggesting they were also intended to be visible in the upper chamber. This room originally contained a fireplace in its south wall, now absent, though the original large stone chimney stack remains. The surviving evidence indicates this was a high status guest chamber. Internally jowled posts are visible in the north and south walls of this former chamber, now divided into two east-west bedrooms. On the ground floor is a single large chamber, now the front bar, containing two substantial cross-beams with rich ogee mouldings and exposed timber-framing.

At the west end is a four-bay north range. Jowled posts dividing the bays remain exposed internally. The ground floor originally contained four stables with four chambers above, accessed by an open-jettied gallery that once ran around the entire courtyard. This feature survives on the south elevation of the north range and in the west of the east range, though it has since been enclosed to form a wide internal landing and corridor lit by wooden casements. The ground floor now houses a bar; the upper floor has been unequally divided for living accommodation. The first floor living room, for example, spans two central bays and has pegged panelling to mid-rail level on all walls. This range has a queen post roof with curved wind braces and clasped purlins.

The north range is lower in height and simpler in timber-frame construction than the cross-wing, reflecting its lower status. There is no evidence it was originally heated. The impressive fireplace in the rear bar is an addition, possibly as early as the 16th century. It is brick-built with a massive timber bressumer chamfered on the rear fire-facing side. The same bar contains a wide axial beam with chamfer and stops, further ogee moulded cross-beams, and exposed framing.

Interior: South and West Ranges

The south range has largely been demolished except for two-thirds of the former south cross-wing at the south-east corner, now Nos. 89-91 High Street, which is separately listed. The original 15th century contract indicates the rear (west) bays of the south range took the same form as the north range described above. The west range no longer survives as upstanding fabric, though it originally contained chambers above a stable range with a western gate providing courtyard access.

The building is constructed of timber-frame, red brick and tiled roofs.