The Tolsey

The Tolsey is a building located on Market Street in Wotton-under-Edge, originally serving as a Court House. It dates from the 16th century, with an exterior that was modified in the 18th century. The structure is made of brick and has a stone slate roof. It is a rectangular block situated at an important street corner, featuring a hipped roof topped with a hexagonal painted wood bell turret and a stone stack.

The building has three storeys and three windows, with sash windows that have glazing bars and are set under segmental heads. The ground floor includes two small 19th-century shop fronts with pilasters, one of which has a glazed door with a three-light fanlight above, while the other has an old battened door with strap hinges. The facade facing High Street is similar, with one window featuring two-light sashes with bars and a new plate glass shop front.

Inside, the building retains a stone vaulted cellar in part and has a projecting stone newel stair leading to the basement, with solid oak treads to the upper floors. The interior also features various heavy moulded beams with cavetto and cyma stops, as well as a diagonal 'dragon beam' on the ground floor. The floors are made of broad floorboards, and the roof structure is heavy, with collar and tie beams.