3, Market Place

A house with a shop, dating from circa 1453, was constructed as part of the "New Works" commissioned by Bishop Bekynton. The building has undergone modifications in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is rendered with simulated ashlar joints and is colourwashed, with a Welsh slate roof featuring a coped gable to the left and a continuation behind a parapet. A brick chimney stack is also present.

The building's plan includes a main range with a large front room, an entrance and through passage to the right, and a straight staircase inserted in the 19th century. A long wing extends to the right, overlooking a small internal courtyard, and a return range runs across the rear, facing Cathedral Green, although it's partially hidden by the adjacent property at 12 Sadler Street.

The exterior is three stories and a single wide bay. The ground floor has a mid-20th century shop front with panelled ashlar stall risers, simple hardwood windows with toplights, a central glazed door, and a continuous fascia with a lead flat roof. A six-panel door is set within a semicircular arch with a decorative cast-iron fanlight, and an architrave surround. Upper floors feature a wide, shallow, angled bay window extending to the height of the parapet, with exposed sash boxes to replacement windows of 8+16+8 panes to the first floor and 4+8+4 panes to the second floor, with cornice mouldings above each window. A corner buttress is visible on the left side, and traces of the original medieval string course are present below the parapet, masked by the rendering. Lead rainwater stackheads and downpipes are on each side, and a small brick stack is located at the left gable.

The rear has a rubble gable with a high-pitched roof covered in double Roman tiles, partly hidden by the adjacent property. A wide, paired, early 18th century 12-pane sash window is set within a moulded stone surround with a drip-course, although the newer insertion sits less deeply. A plain door is located below this.

The ground floor interior features are concealed by 20th century fittings. The first floor contains a large room with a two-compartment ceiling featuring moulded beams. To the right are two small openings with chamfered surrounds and 4-centred heads, leading to the narrow wing. Within the courtyard wall, a two-light casement window has a stone mullion and deep splays. A substantial section of beam with chamfers and stops, held by three moulded wood brackets, is set into the party wall at plate height. The upper floor and roof were not inspected.

This building forms part of an outstanding late medieval planned urban group.