Sarah Siddons House The Old House

The Old House, also known as Sarah Siddons House, is a Grade II* listed building dating from the 16th century, with an extension added in the early 18th century, specifically dated 1718. The house is timber framed, featuring later brick nogging on the road front, and is set on a stone plinth with sill beams. It has a slate roof with two stone stacks at the ends. The structure is a single range with a two-storey porch at the rear and an extension to the right that continues as a lean-to at the back up to the porch. The building has two storeys and a cellar.

On the road front, there are two windows with 19th-century triple sashes and a door leading to the cellar. The rear features a central porch with a timber Tudor arch opening that has an ogee head, and it contains the original double boarded timber front door. Although the porch was added later, it is only slightly younger than the house itself. There are some remaining 6- and 9-light wooden mullion windows on this side, although two have been replaced.

Inside, the house boasts an original spiral oak staircase that provides access to the roof, which has two low collar beams and struts, with two purlins on one side and one purlin along with wind-braced rafters on the road side. There are substantial remains of wattle and daub panelling in the roof and on the rear wall. The main downstairs room features an almost complete 17th-century panelled interior, including a large fireplace with a carved mantel and a panelled plastered ceiling adorned with figures, fruit, and foliage. The beam is also plastered in a similar vigorous style, although details are obscured by layers of lime wash. The house retains many original oak doors and latches, and there is a Bressumer fireplace in another ground floor room in the main range. The building is reputed to have been the home of the famous actress Sarah Siddons.