20 And 22, High Street

HIGH STREET 1. 1049 (South-East Side) Nos 20 and 22 TQ 1649 SE 1/1 28.11.51

II*

1. Originally a building with a Cl6 core. C17 exterior; recently entirely demolished except for the facade. Brickwork along the western side rebuilt in the style of the original. 3 storeys. 5 windows. Red brick. Very fine late C18 double-bowed shop front with its glazing bars intact, modillion cornice over and doorway in the centre flanked by twin engaged columns, the upper halves fluted, with similar columns flanking the shop front. Ionic brick pilasters flank the centre 1st floor window above. Double moulded brick cornice above the 1st floor with keystone effect in it above the windows which flank the centre window. Parapet, recently rebuilt. Tiled roof. Mural paintings were found in several rooms of the old building during demolition and fragments of these have been preserved and are on display in the shop: a fragment of an early C17 floral pattern which apparently entirely covered the walls of a small rear room; crude pattern of flowers and foliage arranged in painted panels. Above the fireplace of this room was a Royal Coat of Arms, possibly of James I; most of this remains. From another room is a C17 fragment of a striped pattern in reds, oranges, greens and yellows (colours probably faded) which again entirely covered the walls. From a first floor front room are C16 and C17 fragments of a border pattern with trefoils in the corners, and of an animal (perhaps wolf or lion) and foliage from the central part (of the ceiling?). All the paintings are thought to have been executed in casine bound distemper. This building is still Grade II* on account of its pilastered brick facade and late Cl8 shop front.

Listing NGR: TQ1653049334