Spurways Almshouses

CREDITON

SS834000 PARK STREET 672-1/6/137 (South side) 19/03/51 Nos.19-22 (Consecutive) Spurways Almshouses

II

Row of 4 almshouses, now used as 2. C16 origins, major alterations of the early C19 and C20. Snecked local volcanic trap, some of the blocks unusually large, front elevation partly plastered, returns and rear elevation roughcast; slate roof, gabled at ends; front lateral stone stacks with renewed brick shafts. Plan: rectangular with C20 single storey lean-tos at the rear. Exterior: 2 storeys. Symmetrical 5-bay front, the 4 shouldered lateral stacks projecting slightly with shoulders. The roof rises in the centre bay which is wider and slightly recessed on the ground floor behind a C19 chamfered timber post. Steps up to the centre indicate that this was a doorway at one time. Behind the post a pair of windows each with a cranked head and sharing the same chamfered timber lintel. The lintel and left hand jamb is late C16, the remainder is C19. Windows glazed with lozenge leaded panes. All other windows are C19: crank-headed 2-light iron casements with lozenge-shaped panes, except for the first floor window in the centre bay which has leaded panes. The bays flanking the centre each have a window on the ground floor with a narrow blocked door alongside and one first floor window. The outer bays have one ground and one first floor window. The centre bay has a West of England fire insurance sign attached. The walling of the left return of the range is very uneven and a stack may have been removed. Rear and return elevations have C20 casements; C20 half-glazed timber doors to the rear. Interior: Not available for inspection at time of survey but may be of interest, including the possibility of an early roof structure. Said to be dated 1557, endowed by Humphry Spurway.

Listing NGR: SS8343500164