38 And 38A, High Street

BARNSTAPLE

SS5533SE HIGH STREET 684-1/7/137 (East side) 31/08/88 Nos.38 AND 38A

GV II

Originally probably single house, now pair of shops with storage and flat above. C16 or early C17, remodelled C18; rear wing of No.38a probably a C18 or early C19 addition. Rendered, solid walls. Right-hand gable is of stone rubble, left-hand gable (probably belonging structurally to No.39 (qv)) of brick; rear wall of wing is of stone rubble with timber-bonded brick at the top. Slated roof; rear wing has lean-to roof. 2 red-brick chimneys of C18 or early C19 on left wall of wing; large chimney at front end, smaller one at rear surmounted by a good C19 chimney-pot with pockets. Single-depth front range, now 3 rooms wide on first floor; rear wing, probably 2 rooms deep originally, on left side. 3 storeys. 3-window range. Ground storey has C20 shop fronts. Upper storeys have sashes in recessed box-frame; mid or late C19 sashes with horns, each sash now having 2 upright glazing bars, ground-floor window right boarded up in 1993. Wooden eaves cornice; iron gutter decorated with lion-heads. INTERIORS: front part of shop at No.38A has ceiling with old moulded plasterwork; wreath in centre probably early C18, rectangular reed moulding of uncertain date round the edge. Heavy plastered beam running from front to back; similar beams in first-floor rooms of both sections of the building. Remains of C18 moulded plaster cornice in first-floor front room of No.38A. Roof has 4 trusses (2 in each section) with short curved feet at the front; wall has been heightened so these now visible in 2nd-floor rooms. Trusses have 2 tiers of through purlins and an angled ridge resting in a slot at the apex; housings remain for former halved collars with shaped ends. Gouged carpenter's marks. Rear feet of trusses buried in wall. It is reported that No.38A formerly contained a stair with an `acorn' newel post. C16 roof trusses with crucked feet of this kind are rare examples of regional vernacular. Fireplaces, beams and other features of interest are likely to be concealed under the plaster. Partly empty at time of survey.

Listing NGR: SS5575833335