The Matron'S College

The Matron's College, established by Seth Ward in 1682 and likely designed by Sir Christopher Wren, is a Grade I listed building located in The Close. This two-storey structure is built of red brick on a projecting plinth with a moulded capping. It features a first-floor string course and a bold, moulded cornice. The hipped roof is covered with old tiles.

The building has a symmetrical design with projecting stone quoined wings on either side, each containing two-light casements and a circular central attic dormer supported by scroll brackets and topped with a ball finial. The main block's centre is adorned with a pediment that has a cornice extending over it, displaying the Royal Coat of Arms and fruit swags in the tympanum. Above the pediment is an octagonal glazed lantern with a lead roof.

On the first floor, there are twelve two-light casements, while the ground floor has ten, all featuring stone surrounds and mullions. Secondary doors are framed in architrave surrounds, with a frieze and cornice at the corners, and a central door also in an architrave surround. This door has a projecting wooden hood with a segmental pediment and a panelled soffit supported by double scroll-carved brackets. All doors are early 19th century with six fielded panels. Above the central door is a stone panel with an inscription in a moulded frame, flanked by small carved scrolls and swag ornamentation, supporting a small bracketed cornice that rests on stone corbelling.

The rear elevation features five gables, and the chimney stacks are set diagonally and grouped. The listed buildings in The Close create an outstanding group.