Town Hall House

Town Hall House, located at 1449 High Street, dates back to 1750. Originally built as the Town Gaol, also known as the Small-port, it later served as the residence for the Caretaker of the adjoining Town Gaol. The building features two storeys, attics, and a basement, constructed of painted brick with a tiled roof and one hipped dormer. It has a brick modillion eaves cornice, with the bricks inserted diagonally so that the points protrude. There are two casement windows with small square leaded panes. The westernmost windows on the ground floor and basement, which likely connected to the cells, still have iron grilles over them. Access is via a doorcase that is reached by four steps, topped with a flat hood and featuring a door with six fielded panels. Above the doorcase is a cartouche of the town arms, flanked by pilasters that create a frame with a cornice above, and below it is the name of the Mayor at the time of the building's erection: Robert Langdon, 1750. Additionally, a late 18th century or early 19th century cast iron naval cannon is embedded in the left side of the wall. Town Hall House is part of a group that includes Nos 27 to 43 (odd).