The King'S Arms Hotel, With Camilla

1. 5224 THE SQUARE (east side)

The King's Arms Hotel, with Camilla (formerly listed as King's Arms Hotel and premises adjoining to south) SP 1925 NW 2/27 25.8.60

II* GV

1. Two distinct builds. [Left hand, with Camilla] Early C17. Coursed rubble with Cotswold stone roof. Three storeys, 2 bays with large gable to each. The ground floor has a modern small-paned 'period' shop front. The first floor has two 4-light stone mullion and transom casement windows with drip moulds, the second floor 3-light similar. Gables with verges, small finials and blind oeuil de boeuf. Right hand Apparently one build with the same roof-line, but of 2 quite different visual characters. Early C17, apparently refaced on the right-hand half in circa 1700. Three storeys, 4 bays. The left hand 2 bays have stone mullion and transom casements, 3-light paired on the ground and first floors, 2-light above, all with drip moulds. Gables with finials and blind oeuil de boeuf, the gables smaller than the first section. The 2 right hand bays could perhaps have been altered from 3 gabled ones. The ground floor has a modern 3-light stone mullioned casement with drip mould flanked by a plain doorway and a carriageway with timber lintel. The first floor has 3-light wood mullion and transom flush casements with leaded lights, 2-light on the second floor. Modillion eaves cornice. Tall ashlar stack with weathering. The south gable has the same finial as the others. The inn has a confused history. It was flourishing by 1666 and may be older. Charles I is supposed to have stayed in 1645, and Robert Haley who stayed in 1708 says it was founded in 1548. It had the reputation in the C18 of being the best inn between London and Worcester (VCH). Interior: paired 6-panel doors on the first floor to upper reception rooms which both have bolection fireplaces. One flight of heavy circa 1700 balusters survives to first floor.

Listing NGR: SP1919625757