Grevel'S House

1. 5224 HIGH STREET (north-west side) Grevel's House SP 1539 SW 9/89 25.8.60 I GV

2. Externally partly mediaeval with Cl7 and C19 remodellings. Thought to have been a mediaeval barn, possibly C14, converted to dwelling and converted in late C16 when the 'Grevil bay' was imported. A complex and enigmatic building - not necessarily the home of William Grevil; the 'flower of the wool merchants of all England' who died circa 1400. Rubble built with Cotswold stone roof. Three large corniced chimney stacks. Two large and 2 smaller gables with saddlestones, that to right of centre having an exceptionally fine 2 storey Perpendicular bay window containing 6 lights with tracery and tracery panels and surmounted by gargoyles. The left hand one has an altered 2 storey C16 bay of 1-3-1 lights, transoms first floor, side lights and common label on ground floor. Right hand bay has a C17 4 light mullion window with label on first floor and below a moulded arched door with flanking windows under common label (presumably C19 when the Gainsborough Estate Office operated from there). The gable to left of centre has a sundial and 4- and 6-light mullion windows (with king mullions). Apparently C14 doorway to right of left hand bay with moulded arch and rounded label - stops and a small 2 light window above. Wide coachway in similar style to left of right hand bay. In the coachway is a Tudor arched doorway into the right hand bay. Inside: the house is really C16 in plan - 7 units with cross passage to left of hall (Tudor fireplace) and parlour to right of hall (with tiercon vaulted bay window and late mediaeval fireplace with corbelled cornice; a pointed door from this chamber may have given access to the stair). Solar above (now library) also with good fireplace, but bay window is not vaulted). The house was altered in about 1817 when the present staircase was put in. The roof has stout short wind- braces to the lower purlin and retains (above the hall) smoke-blackening (which indicates that the hall was domestic before the Tudor conversion. To rear of right hand bay is a 2 storey extension linking with a 2 storey building which was once a kitchen (perhaps detached).

Listing NGR: SP1524339303