The John Edes House

The John Edes House, formerly known as Westgate House, dates back to 1696. This building has often been attributed to Sir Christopher Wren, although this claim is disputed by the Victoria County History and other architectural critics. It is a two-storey structure with an attic and basement, featuring seven windows. The house is constructed of red brick with Portland stone dressings, and it has a central portion flanked by two slightly projecting wings.

There is a string course above the ground floor and a cornice above the first floor, adorned with modillions and egg and dart moulding. The roof is tiled and hipped, with lead ridges, and there is one dormer in each wing. A pediment crowns the central portion. The original casement windows have leaded panes and keystones above them. The entrance is accessed by steps and features pilasters with quoins, a flat arch, a semi-circular fanlight, a broken curved pediment, and six-panel moulded doors.

The approach to the house has been altered in modern times; a low stone wall now replaces a brick wall that previously stood in front of the house, obscuring the basement windows. The original pair of panelled stone piers topped with pineapples that flanked the entrance were moved to the entrance of the County Hall, and similar pairs were placed at the exits on either side but have since been removed. The garden front includes a porch with Ionic columns and a room above, which was added later. Inside, there is good panelling.

The John Edes House is part of a group that includes the Church of St Peter and Nos 21 to 25 and Nos 27 to 33.