Bridge House

Bridge House is an 18th-century building located on Bridge Street, with a frontage dated 1776. The structure has origins from the late 16th century, with modifications made at the rear. In 1688, it was occupied by Gregory Clarke, who was in the process of rebuilding it when it was saved from the great fire by a watchman.

The western portion of the house features two high storeys, each with two blank-window panels, flat arches, and stone cills, all constructed from red brick. There is a cornice below the parapet with a stone coping, and the roof is covered with pantiles. The entrance front is on the return to the south, showcasing three sash windows with glazing bars, a six-panel door with an arched patterned radial-bar fanlight, and a case with panelled reveals. Fluted Doric columns, triglyphs, and a dentil pediment enhance the entrance.

Inside, there is a panelled room with an enriched cornice, which has been converted into a Veterinary Surgeons dispensary. The room above features a marble mantel attributed to John Adam, with Ionic pilasters that taper downwards. The earlier portion at the rear consists of two storeys and an attic, with three dormers that have segmental pediments. This section is also brick, rendered, and tiled, with five flush frame sash windows that have glazing bars and a canted oriel. The central door is a four-panel wooden door in a case with consoles, while a second door to the right has six flush panels and a pedimented hood.

Chateaubriand resided here in 1795 when the house was occupied by Reverend J Clement Ives. Bridge House is part of a group that includes Nos 2, 4, 6A, 12 to 20 (even), 24 to 34 (even), 40 to 44 (even), 48, and 50.