21 And 21A, The Close

THE CLOSE 1. 1594 Nos 21 & 21A (Formerly listed as No 21) SU 1429 NW 3/40 28.2.52. II GV 2. Early canonical house, original structure carried a stage higher in C15 hence old name of Aula le Stage". C13 and C14-15 altered early C19. 2 storey. Rubble stone flint and tile. Old tile roof. Double gabled front with pierced stone balustrading between gables and at outer corners, crowned with finials. Stone copings and carved finial to each gable. 2 large moulded stone mullioned 4-light casements flanking 2 light similar casement on 1st floor. 2 tall C19 similar windows on ground floor and central door with 2 light casement over. The entrance is set in an early Cl9 slightly projecting porch, 4 centred arch and pierced balustrade. The windows have drip moulds over. The west front has part of 2 storeys with 4 windows 1st floor and 3 on ground floor, 2 and 3 light stone mullioned casements mostly renewed C19 and large 4 light stone mullioned one on ground floor, drip mould over. 3 storey part to rear with hipped old tile roof. External stepped chimney on this front. East front has projecting gabled bay rendered, and a flint, stone rubble gabled section adjoining to north. Pointed arched side door. Earliest part to rear. East corner has chapel with blocked lancets, open to east. West corner has the 3 storey block the tile hung 2nd floor on moulded base being the C15 addition, flint rubble below. 2 stone mullioned windows and blocked cusped window. Corbelled chimney, brick upper part. Interior: the entrance hall has remains of C15 frieze with boar and lamb and flag. The presumed chapel Cl3 with lancet windows. The base of the 3 storey north west block is tunnel vaulted. A large waggon roofed room 1st floor plastered with thin ribs in octagonal pattern probably early C19. Some C17 panelling. A similar ceiling to room in left hand part of house (No 21A). This part has C18 staircase, closed string turned balusters. On 1st floor wall post remains of cambered collar, windbrace. A blocked C14 archway close to floor level. Reset C16 frieze-in ground floor rear room incorporating the arms of Catherine of Aragon. The 2nd floor C15 addition to north west corner has base of trusses (3 bays) and part of brackets, probably there was a gable end roof prior to the present hipped one. In the Mid C19 the house was the residence of Canon W Lyle Bowles who added the front porch.

All the listed buildings in the Close form an outstanding group.

Listing NGR: SU1435229676