Summary
Three bays of a formerly larger early-C16 house; the other part is 75 High Street (Grade II) . Its front was remodelled in the mid-C19, and the shop front installed in the early C21. The rear outshut was added in the C20.
Reasons for Designation
73 High Street, previously part of a larger house, is listed at Grade II* for the following principal reasons:
Architectural interest:
* for the retention of a significant proportion of historic fabric including its early-C16 collar and tie-beam roof trusses with associated wind braces, together with a stone fireplace and winder stair;
* for the survival of early-C17 plasterwork.
Group value:
* with the attached Grade-II listed 75 High Street it historically formed a single, early-C16 house.
History
Built in the early C16 as a five-bay house. It later became the Bull’s Head Inn before being subdivided into Numbers 73 and 75 High Street. 73 High Street retains its early-C17 plaster ceiling (restored in about 1990) to the former great chamber on the first floor.
Details
Three bays of a formerly larger early-C16 house; the other part is 75 High Street (Grade II). Its front was remodelled in the mid-C19, and the shop front installed in the early C21. The rear outshut was added in the C20.
MATERIALS: it appears to be constructed from coursed, squared, limestone rubble which is rendered, under roofs covered in plain clay tiles. There is a brick gable-end chimney stack.
PLAN: single-depth plan with the former great chamber on the first floor, and rear outshut; originally part of a larger dwelling.
EXTERIOR: two storeys with an attic, and three bays wide. The current (2021) shop front replaced one of the mid-C20. To the first floor are three horned, plate-glass sash windows beneath cambered heads. Above is a moulded cornice and C20 parapet. The two hipped dormer windows have three-over-three sash windows. There are blocked former openings to the north-east wall.
INTERIOR: the building retains three bays of the original early C16, five-bay roof that continues over the adjacent 75 High Street (Grade II). The roof comprises straight collars and tie beams, and alternate curved wind braces. To the former, first-floor great chamber is an enriched early-C17 plaster ceiling with a geometrical pattern of moulded ribs, foliate bosses, roses, and formal sprays of fruit and foliage, as well as an arabesque frieze. There is a stone three-centre arched fireplace with a double cyma moulding, moulded stops, and a herringbone brick back. To the left is a winder stair with stick balusters.
