Number 20 And Part Of Abbey Precinct Wall

This is a house, largely dating to the early 17th century, though it is believed to incorporate features from the 16th century. There were 18th-century additions and alterations, and it was refronted and restored in the late 19th century, with minor 20th-century changes. The house incorporates a section of a 12th-century abbey precinct wall on its south side, and a rear wing abuts part of this wall between the former monks' cemetery to the east and the lay cemetery to the west.

The structure is timber-framed with painted infill panels, and the brick is rendered with a pebble dash finish. It has a gabled plain tile roof, gabled dormers and a brick ridge stack. The house is a double-depth block with a lobby entry. A short 18th-century wing extends to the rear on the left, forming an L-shaped plan.

The front of the house is symmetrical, with a plain brick plinth at ground level and pebble dash above. The central entrance doorway has an open gable canopy supported by brackets, and a 20th-century boarded door. Flanking the entrance are three-light timber casement windows with projecting timber sills. The first floor has 19th-century timber framing of close studding and intermediate rail, with a single-light casement above the doorway and three-light timber-framed casements to either side. The attic has a large gabled dormer at each end, also with close studding, plain barge boards and a three-light casement with leaded glazing.

The rear elevation of the main block is timber-framed in large panels with a first-floor jetty. The framing to the ground floor, including knee brackets supporting the jetty, has been largely renewed. A four-light timber-framed casement window is located on the ground floor, and above it on the first floor, with a casement to the right that was likely reduced from two lights when the service wing was added in the 18th century. A pair of timber-framed cross gables each has a three-light casement with leaded glazing in the apex. A tall brick stack is situated at the gable-end of the added wing at the rear.

Inside, the room to the left of the lobby entry has early 17th-century panelling. Above the fireplace is an early 17th-century overmantel with two arched panels framed by pilasters with Corinthian capitals and an entablature with a carved frieze. A 19th-century staircase is located at the rear of the chimney stack. On the first floor, a 17th-century plaster ceiling features moulded strapwork, fleur-de-lys, and finials, and there is some exposed framing including jowelled posts.

Attached to the rear is an L-shaped section of the monastic precinct wall, constructed of stone rubble in courses, with dressed stone coping in two courses.