The Old Fleece

The Old Fleece is a house in a row, formerly known as the Old Fleece Inn, dating from the early 17th century. The facade, which has been largely restored in the late 19th century, features close-stud timber framing with exposed bracing and lozenge panels, plaster infill, a tile roof, and brick stacks. The building has a double-jettied front with a very steep roof that runs parallel to the street and deep rear wings. Originally, it had a side-entry plan, typical for Tewkesbury. A long rear wing was added in the 17th century, which has a steep pitched roof and a timber-framed gable. Attached to this is a lower gabled unit with horizontal boarding, and a further detached lower wing made of brick and tile, featuring a half-timbered gable and a loading opening.

The exterior consists of three storeys with two windows. The first and second floors have 2-light paired casements with a transom and central mullion, set on moulded cill bands that return to the projecting sides. Each of these returns has a small light. The ground floor, made of rendered brick or stone, features a wide opening with a 4-centred head and chamfered surround, which is stopped to the plinth on the right. A plate-glass shop front is set back from the arch, and to the left, there is a moulded panelled door with a 4-centre head and a shallow transom light, accompanied by a plain glass display window. The jetties are supported by carved brackets—three at the ground floor and two at the upper levels—along with moulded bressumer facings, the ground floor having a brattished top. The building has deep modillion eaves with a moulded cornice and gutter box. Below the first floor windows, there is a painted Royal Arms with supporters. Some timber framing is visible in the right gable.

The interior of the ground floor has features that are concealed, while the upper floors, which are not accessible, are noted to have retained original 17th-century features, including panelling.