The Priory

The Priory is a house dating to the late 15th and early 16th centuries, with a former barn from the 17th century incorporated into the structure. It is located in Lydbrook, at the corner of Proberts Lane. The house is timber framed with close studding on the long side walls, topped by complex slate roofs and a central stone stack. It is two storeys high, built on a stone plinth, and includes a cellar on one side. The building consists of a single range with a cross gable and the former barn to the north. Fenestration is scattered, mostly comprising casement windows. The front facing the road has three windows, while the other side includes a blocked six-light wooden mullion window with two king mullions.

Inside, the cross gable has cambered tie beams resting on haunched posts and extends for three bays. The owner has reported smoke-blackened timbers in the central bay; however, this was not inspected. There are “squared” Tudor arched doorways on both floors, along with two back-to-back medieval fireplaces featuring an oak bressumer and stone cheeks. A room on the ground floor to the south has beams with wide, plain chamfers and steps. Above this room is a “secret” room, where traces of paint remain on the timberwork and remnants of an oak screen partition are visible.