103 Westgate Street, Folk of Gloucester

103 Westgate Street, Folk of Gloucester

A 17th-century town house, later converted to a shop and subsequently to a museum, now operating as a community heritage project called the Folk of Gloucester.

The building is constructed of brick and stone at cellar, ground and first-floor levels, with timber-framing above. Two end-gable stacks and a Welsh slate roof complete the structure. The plan comprises a lateral range of two bays with a central entry, with parallel gable-ended ranges at right angles to the street.

The front elevation presents three storeys with a cellar below and cross-gabled attics above. Ground and first-floors are brick-fronted with stone to the rear, while the third-floor is timber-framed with jetties and cross gables to both front and rear. The elevation is generally symmetrical, dominated by a central doorway with finely moulded timber-frame and an original iron-studded oak plank door. To the right stands an early 19th-century shop front with timber pilasters and corniced fascia, featuring an additional entrance door and a window re-glazed in the early 20th century. To the left is a window of similar 20th-century date.

The first-floor is constructed in brick with four timber-framed casements of two lights each, featuring upper transoms and leaded rectangular glazing. Three knee brackets support the second-floor jetty. The second-floor is timber-framed in two bays with close studding, intermediate rails and tension braces to the central storey post. Each bay contains a canted timber-framed oriel casement window supported on two scroll-shaped brackets, with four lights, upper transom and leaded rectangular glazing. Above are two gables with plain barge boards and apex finials, each with a fixed sash window containing leaded glazing set within timber studs below the apex.

The rear wall of the front range retains a blocked 17th-century stone square window. A modern 20th-century extension extends to the rear, surrounding the remains of an earlier courtyard space.

The interior of the front range is now one open room. The central entrance door is constructed of wide boards with late 17th-century strapwork hinges and lock case. A former central cross passage is indicated by the survival of morticed beams. Main beams to each side are ovolo-moulded. An eastern fireplace with Tudor-arch and moulded stone surround survives; a similar example was removed from the west end in the 19th century. The west side contains an enclosed timber staircase leading upward and a stone staircase descending to the basement. The basement comprises two rooms with through access and blocked windows to the front.

The 20th-century rear extension houses a modern staircase, toilets, and access through to number 101 Westgate Street. Two small round-arched windows on the exterior of the front range were exposed during renovation works and are now visible within this space. The modern staircase is timber with straight balustrades.

At first-floor level, the front range is open as one space with fireplaces featuring Tudor-arches and moulded stone surrounds at each end, alongside an enclosed panelled staircase. The second-floor displays exposed timber-framing with ovolo-moulded cross beams, later chamfered upright support posts and kneeler brackets providing additional support at mid points and outer walls.

A modern loft hatch provides access to the attic, which is one large open space extending to the roof. The roof structure features a large central truss with queen struts and an arched collar tie, lit by four dormers within the overhanging gables. Brick fireplaces at both east and west ends each carry a Tudor-arched timber bressummer.