The Sign

The Sign is a row of three houses, dating from the 18th century, built with a two-unit plan. Numbers 1 and 3 are each planned around a central entrance. However, the original left-hand bay of Number 1 was later subdivided to extend Number 2, and part of the original floor area of Number 3 was also incorporated into Number 2. Number 2 has its entrance on the left.

The right-hand section of the row, comprising numbers 1 and part of number 2, displays exposed box framing with brick panel infill and a brick plinth. The roof is slate, with a brick stack running along the ridge. The design is symmetrical, though the internal layout is asymmetrical. A gabled timber porch with a chamfered arched doorway sits centrally, flanked by four-light casement windows on each floor to the left, and two-light casements to the right. The left-hand windows each comprise a pair of two-light casements, and the property division between numbers 1 and 2 runs between the pairs. Upper windows are set in gabled dormers; the left-hand dormer is a higher gable with decorative barge-boards. All windows, which appear to be in their original openings, have bracketed canopies characteristic of the work associated with the Vaynor Estate. The gable end return features a similarly detailed, shallow oriel window to the first floor and a two-light casement below.

The central bays of the row are rendered, possibly over timber framing – exposed timbering is visible in the rear wall. They feature a low dormer window to the right of the gabled porch, with a two-light casement window on each floor. Similarly arranged four-light casements are to the left of the porch, with a higher gabled dormer with decorative barge-boards to the first floor.

The left-hand end bay has exposed timber framing of thin scantling, and a lower dormer over two-light casement windows to the left of the gabled porch.

Number 3 retains many original features, including two deep, chamfered spine beams with run-out stops in the principal living room, which was later subdivided to create an entrance lobby and cellar stairs. It also has a simple oak dog-leg staircase within the outshut, and oak boarded floors on the first floor.