Bank Cottage (To Rear Of No 4 High Street) Bank Cottage, Crown Steps (To Rear Of No 4)

Bank Cottage is a house dating to the 17th century, probably the first half, located to the rear of No 4 High Street on Crown Steps. The building has undergone later alterations and major early 20th-century changes when it was divided into two cottages.

The structure is timber-framed with brick infill and whitewashed cladding, covered by a plain tile roof. Originally single-storey with an attic, it comprises three framed bays. The south front features a through-passage on the left with an exposed wall post and stud above it. To the right of the passage is a part-glazed door, and at the right end another part-glazed door, both set under cambered brick arches. On the inside of each door is a tall bricked-up window opening with a flat brick arch and a small casement window inserted. A third casement window appears on the right of the central bay. The ends of two iron tie bars are visible. An eaves band runs across the front. Two flat-roofed dormers sit to the left and a third to the right, all equipped with casements, tile-hung cheeks, and lead roofs. A central chimney stack rises from the roof.

The rear elevation is mostly brick, but timber framing is exposed at either end, comprising corner posts, mid rail, and vertical studs. A later external chimney stack is positioned to the left of the passage. The left and right returns are weatherboarded, with a window in the left gable.

Internally, a corner post is visible in the right room on the ground floor beneath the stairs. On the first floor, wall posts, studs, and wall plates are exposed. Two principal rafter trusses are present with their tie-beams cut out, and some wide floor boards survive. In the through-passage gable wall, timber framing is visible including the cill plate, mid-rail, posts, and studs. The pavement is of coarsely squared sets. The building was unoccupied at the time of survey.