Hadleigh, George Street - Listed buildings

George Street is a lovely reasonably quiet road with lots of old properties in it. So, looking at some listed properties here, I am starting with number 3-5 which was probable a public house in times past.

It`s a C15-C16 2 storey timber framed and plastered building. The upper storey projects at the front with massive close-set joists. Although it is now part of Partridges store, it was the Moulders Arms. Apparently, it was given its name referring to the iron foundry once located behind the building.

Crossing Magdalene Street, you arrive in George Street proper, I like to think.  This property is no.15 and is a C17 property which has been altered, fittingly called Tudor Gables. 

Next door to Tudor Gables is this lovely building called The Old House which was previously listed as no19 and 20. It is probably C17, and is a two storey timber-framed and plastered structure with a cross wing at the east end with the upper storey projecting on curved brackets. The main block has a ground floor only and attic dormers. I took a photograph (below) in 2010, of the front door with the small side windows and rather pretty hanging baskets.

Front door of The Old House

Then we come to this cute cottage squeezed between The Old House and  Thelwyn House. It is called Chip Cottage, which seems rather appropriate I think! Its probably of C18 origin.

Then for something completely different - a thatched cottage. This is unusual in Hadleigh, this being the only one. Its date is on the side wall, as seen above. Generaly noted as No 42, it is sometimes listed as 40 and 42.

This one is The Cock Inn, dated C18, and is a two storey timber framed and plastered building with tiled roof. It has four gabled dormers on the front, the most easterly one having a date in the gable of 1722. It has a one storey extension north at west end. The wrought iron bracket to the inn sign is probable C18.

The Georgian East House has two large wings on the south largely rebuilt or refaced in C19 red brick and for a number years had been used for varied activities including a community center. In March 2013, plans by Babergh District Council to redevelop the site and build houses on the land behind were withdrawn after strong local protest. Opponents of the plan had argued that the adjacent land had been used as a village green for the previous 20 years. In 2018, the building was renovated into two private homes: East House and West Lodge by period property restorers Richard Abel and Ruth McCabe-Abel. The couple were awarded the Noel Turner Award by the Hadleigh Society in 2019 for their sympathetic restoration of East House and West Lodge.

The Row Chapel of the Blessed Mary Magdalene and Saint Catherine - to give it its full title. This chapel is a mid-15th century timber-framed building that, since 1497, has served as the chapel to the Pykenham Almshouses. In 1887, the almshouses were rebuilt in brick and three years later the chapel was restored. Hadleigh Grand Feoffment Charity administer this site in trust for the town. 

I have not been inside but hope to in the future. The current pandemic rules that out at the moment I am afraid.

No. 48 George Street

A medieval hall-house with a cross-wing to the south and two storey C19 addition to the north in the place of the north service wing. It is a house of C14 or C15 date, remodelled in the C16, C17 and C18; converted into four tenements in the C19 and restored to one dwelling in the early C21. Quite a history!

The earliest phase of building appears to date to between 1380 and 1420 and comprised an open hall with a parlour crosswing to the west. The service end to the east, possibly also in a crosswing, has been lost to C19 remodelling. Between c 1560 and 1590, the building was significantly reconfigured. The front and rear were faced with brick, and projecting gables with multi-light mullion windows added. At the same time, the orientation of the building changed. The main stack, stair tower and porch were added to the street frontage and the principal façade switched to the rear, opening onto a private garden. The hall was ceiled over and the upper chambers of hall and parlour were panelled. On the ground floor, the hall had painted decoration to the walls. In the mid C17, a further painting scheme was applied to the ground floor walls of the hall, and a decorative plaster vine-scroll motif embellished the cornices and bridging beams of the upper hall.

Around 1700, an external chimney stack was added to the west gable end. By the late C18, the former parlour had been divided into two and some panelling removed. An outshut was added to the west end to accommodate a winder stair. In the C19, the building was poorly sub-divided into 4 dwellings, with an additional wing added to the east on the site of the service range and an outshot added to the George Street elevation. During this period, casement windows were inserted into the rear elevation and the late-C16 principal door removed. Many of the windows on the George Street frontage were blocked. The rear stair went out of use in the C20.

The earliest documentary reference to the hall dates to 1661, when the building was known as Thorpes, perhaps after an owner of the property. It is known that in 1814, the Wesleyan Methodists purchased the building, leasing it to the Primitive Methodists (known as Ranters) in 1836. A map of that date shows the building sub-divided into three; it seems that the parlour crosswing was used as a chapel at the time. In 1846, the land to the east was purchased for a chapel which was constructed in 1848 and enlarged in 1875. The building has been restored. The C19 internal partitions have been removed and the C16 plan-form reinstated. The panelling and decorative plasterwork in the upper floor have been cleaned, conserved and remain in situ. The C17 and earlier paint schemes on the ground floor have been recorded and covered over to ensure their continued preservation, but are no longer on view.

No 22-26 George Street

This C15-C16 property is a two storey building which is timber framed and plastered. It has cross wings on the east and west ends, the east one having a  projecting upper storey in the front, sitting on curved brackets with moulded capitals and shafts. The west cross wing was the same but has been underbuilt in front.

The old Dairy, No.111 George Street

Another rather grand C15 hall house, which is a two storey, timber framed and plastered building. It has a contemporary cross wing at the west end with the upper storey projecting on curved brackets on the front and a hipped gable. The ground floor front of the cross wing is faced in brick and flint rubble, with the ground floor main block faced in brick. It has a large exterior chimney and an east side cross wing as well. It is called the old Dairy but as yet I have found no information about it.

There a numbers of other listed buildings in the street but this is a sample of what I considered, the most interesting ones.

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Snow and Cold from the East!

This Beast from the East – a phrase recently used to describe wintry conditions in the UK caused by easterly winds from the near continent – is a result of cold air from Scandinavia and Russia combined with an active storm front (named Storm Darcy by the Dutch meteorological office). The best remembered Beast from the East hit Britain at the end of February 2018, bringing with it 10 days of heavy snow. This one though does not compare with the 2018 one in severity or length it persisted. However, a winter walk was require to capture the occasion.

View from the front door in the morning

Swans and Canada Geese awaiting breakfast

Drifts on the roadside as we went for our walk

More piles of snow on the bank plus a close up of the wonderful texture

Clumps of snow on the hedges and fences

The approach to Overbury Hall

Icicles abound along the roof of this cottage

Izobelle making a "Snow angel"

Later, sitting in the snow seats for a warm cuppa!

What about this for a giant icicle on our guttering

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The lost Pubs, Inns and Taverns of Hadleigh

Having been photographing some of the many Listed buildings in Hadleigh, I was surprised at the number of inns, taverns, pubs etc which have been in the town over the years. Then I came across a site called `The Lost Pubs of Hadleigh` and was taken by the idea of photographing all that I could find; bearing in mind that some have been demolished and some are noted, but there is no certainty as to where they actually were situated. There are 21 in total that are listed here, but I understand that there are others of more uncertain nature which may have been inns or pubs.

However, here is my effort, starting with what to me was a big surprise! - the ex Council Offices.

The Anchor - Bridge Street

This pub / beer house managed to go through a few names in its time: 

Between 1661 & 1835 it was called the Standard**

Between 1837 & 1871 it was called the Barley Mow**

Between 1871 & 1927 it was called the Anchor**

One landlady was named as Elisabeth Scrivener, and is recorded at the Barley Mow, in another pub located in Benton Street in 1844 (later called the Falcon) but by 1855 she is recorded here, when this beer house was also called the Barley Mow. It was rebuilt by 1892, when it was recorded as the Anchor.

In more modern times, we have all known it as part of the Council Offices.

The Alma - 43 High Street.

Owners Daniels brewery offered this license to be surrendered in 1897 so that Three Tuns could be opened seven days a week. The Three Tuns is further along the High Street but on the opposite side of the road. I was a bit surprised that a pub was allowed to open every day in Victorian times.

Comparing modern and old maps, it seems the original building has been demolished and the building on site now is more modern. I thought this didn`t look like a pub!

The Black Swan - 4 Benton Street

The current building possibly dates from 1839, but replaced an earlier one on the same site that dates back to the early 17th century. The pub was called the Swan before 1870. The Black Swan is shown on the 1958 OS map but seems to have gone by the 1968 and subsequent maps, so presumably closed between those dates. It is now residential.

By 1924 it was owned by Cobbold's Brewery (but had been sold by them by 1961).

Just as an aside - in 1836 John Clark (landlord of the Swan) was reported in the Ipswich Journal as being arrested for receiving a stolen horse.

The Falcon - 63 Benton Street

The Falcon was called the Barley Mow until about 1844. Reputedly the name changed at about the time that the pub was purchased by Falcon Brewery (of Ipswich), who liked to call most of their pubs by that name. Not to be confused with Barley Mow listed in Bridge St (later the Anchor).

It is now residential and was closed as a pub around 1990 - 1991.

The Fishmongers Arms - 70 Benton Street

Although several sites say that this was a pub, I could find no information about it, apart from old maps having it marked. No dates, nothing! 

However, I then stumbled on a local history site, which gave me a quote from an elderly gentleman, dated 2002: "I remember a lot of pubs - long since closed down, like the Fishmonger’s Arms in Benton where you could also win a basket of freshly caught fish, by spinning an arrow on a wheel for the lucky number."

Flying Chariot - 92 Benton Street

This building is recorded as a former inn in the Listed Buildings Register. It's shown on OS maps as early as 1885 as "Flying Chariot", but not marked as a pub (by contrast, the nearby King's Arms is clearly marked as an inn), so may have closed before that date.

The building dates from the 16th century, but most features are from the 17th. It's one of the most beautifully pargetted buildings in the town.

Kings Arms - Benton Street

The building is now residential and dates mainly from the 16th and 17th centuries. A local nickname of the pub was the "Monkey", and it closed in 1993. 

"John Whisley Ayers, auctioneer and appraiser, begs publicly to announce his most grateful thanks to his friends and customers for their unbounded liberality since his commencement in the business of the King's Arms Inn, Hadleigh, and confidently assures them, nothing on his part shall be wanting to make them comfortable, and ensure a continuance of their future favours, also informs them that he has laid in a good stock of fine old wines, spirits, cordials, cyder, porter, and old beer, which he is determined to sell on the lowest terms. Note! Housekeepers may be supplied with fine old porter, by sending their casks."

Ipswich Journal, June 1815

Moulders Arms - George Street

There is some doubt about the exact position of this one, as on a late Victorian census it is listed as next door to the Kings Head in the High Street. So, did it move? Although the two buildings are very close to each other, they are not side by side.

So, although this might not be the original building, there certainly was a pub of that name nearby, if not actually here. As for its name? It was given its name referring to the iron foundry once located behind the building.

Shoulder of Mutton - 124a High Street

Interestingly in1805 a lady called Mary Aldridge was the landlord. The pub closed in the 1950s.

"The annual show of lambs will be held at the Shoulder of Mutton Inn, Hadleigh, on the 19 August 1805; when the company of gentlemen breeders, graziers, deniers in lambs, and the public in general, will be esteemed a favour, by their humble servant, Mary Aldridge. A good ordinary will be provided at 2pm."

Ipswich Journal, Aug 1805

The Three Tuns - 106 High Street

This pub closed in 1911 and is now in residential use. It used to brew its own beer; the well used for this still remains and is under a covenant on the house that it cannot be altered.

The Wheatsheaf - 4 High Street

"At the Hadleigh Petty Sessions in March 1875, an extension in time of one hour was granted to Mr Edward Wilson, the landlord of the Wheatsheaf, Hadleigh, the occasion being the anniversary dinner of the Oddfellows’ Lodge."

Ipswich Journal, March 1875

Closed in 1995, this is now an office of a Financial Advisor, although it has been a B&B in recent years.

The White Horse - Stone Street

It was hit by a German bomb during an air raid about June 1940 - but evidently wasn't badly damaged as the pub continued trading.

In 1956 permission was granted to erect petrol pumps on this site when part of the business also then traded as a "Regent" garage.

Closed as the White Horse in 2002 it was subsequently used as an antiques shop and private residence. In July 2012 the pub reverted to its original name after a few years trading as the Donkey (its long time nickname).

After opening and closing a few times, it closed again for the last time early in 2013. The building was converted into a carpet showroom, which itself has since closed.

The White Lion Hotel - High Street

A former Commercial Inn & Posting House, now converted into a number of flats. The building retains many original features both at the front and in a small enclosed central courtyard. Sadly a fire in 2011 damaged part of building to the rear of the property.

A Survey of Suffolk Parish History tells us that there a records of a bowling green opening at the White Lion in 1754, so we can be sure the inn was extant prior to that. Although the façade only dates from the 18th century, the Listed Buildings Register says that the building probably dates from the 16th or 17th century.

"Robert Beales (late waiter at the White Hart in Colchester) begs leave to inform the public that he has taken and entered the White Lion at Hadleigh and has laid in an entire fresh stock of wine and liquors etc"

Ipswich Journal, 2 Feb 1782

Queens Head - 149 Angel Street

This old Coaching Inn was closed about 1750 - probable. The date 1713 and initials "TTM" appear on the front wall. It's recorded that there used to be a malthouse at the rear and TTM stood for "Thomas Thrower Maltings".

It isn't marked as an inn on any available OS map (at least as early as 1885) so must have closed a long time ago, 1750 being the best approximation.

The Pickerel

No, this is not an error! The Threadneedle Street side of the current Eight Bells was once The Pickerel, which closed before 1840. A similar situation to the one below.

The Angel in Angel Street.

The Angel is known to date back to at least 1474. It has now been incorporated into the King's Head. It closed before 1840.

The Star - 20 Angel Street

The Star, or Ship and Star is a pub that was associated with an adjacent brewery, and also traded as Sorrel Horse. Cannot find any information, not even when it closed!

To finish, here are the names of some of the now demolished inns or pubs that are known to have existed.

The Drum - Angel Street - now demolished. Closed 1782

Shoulder of Mutton - Pound Lane. This pub pre-dates the Shoulder of Mutton on the High Street. It is recorded back in the 18th century. Now demolished?

Plough - Inkerman Terrace - now demolished

The Fountain - Threadneedle Street. Closed around 1748 and now demolished.

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Hadleigh`s Benton Street - Listed Buildings

The houses in Benton Street vary considerably in size, from the properties listed first in this post, (number 37 to 41) to the grand ones like the Old Manse further down the road and also Benton End House. Still a beautiful street, despite the modern curse of traffic which is reaching a point where something will need to be done to alleviate the problem. There are a few closed pubs in the street, the ones not shown here are the Black Swan at number 4 and the Falcon at number 63, as neither are listed buildings. So, onto a few of the listed buildings.

Numbers 37 to 41, are probably of C17 origin, classed as a `range of tenements` over two storeys with an attic. It`s the usual timber-framed and plastered building, and is listed as having a `Central ground floor entry with double doors` but now has more doors added, it appears. Probably when the house was divided up into the three properties which it now appears to be.

The Old Manse at number 90 Benton Street is an C18 building over two storeys. It`s in red brick with an attic, which has three dormers. It has a three window range, which are flush-frame sash with glazing bars. Apparently, it also has small wood modillion eaves cornice and an open pediment hood to the Doric doorcase, none of which can be seen from the road as the high wall and gate preclude that. Not only is the main building listed, but also the outbuilding to the right of the picture and the surrounding wall. Lucky Pastor, I say!

Numbers 73 and 75 are probably C16 but the exterior features are probably a good deal altered, although it is possible that they have interior interest. It is a two storey timber framed building with plastered filling in the walls and tiled roofs. The upper storey projects on the west front at two slightly different levels on curved brackets, with exposed joists. 

Numbers 124 and 126 - probably C17, but now much altered. It`s a two storey timber framed and plastered building, with the roofs tiled. There is a gable end to the street. The upper storey projects on the east side on three curved brackets, as it did formerly on south front. No 124 has a lean-to addition on the north side. The ground floor front plaster has traces of guilloche pargetting.

Another property which is dated from C16 but with external features largely C17/18. Most of the house is late C17 with C18 re-fronting. It has two wings at the back extending east. The front breaks forward slightly at each end with rather attractive cornice. It has a dentil pediment doorcase with scroll consoles. The north side of  the north-east wing has a late C17 window of three lights with an arched central light and leaded panes, unfortunately you cannot see it from the road! There are several interior features including a late C17 staircase. At the north end front, there is a rebuilt chimney stack with inset panel marked DW 1765.

Another lovely looking building at 86 Benton Street and one which I can find limited information. The date panel on the front says 1714. It`s a two storey, timber framed and plastered building with a tiled roof. The ground floor has been considerably altered and it has modern windows. However, it`s one of my favourites in the road.

The Kings Arms (once known to locals as the `Monkey`) is now residential, but once was a Pub which closed in 1993. It is of C16 and C17 construction but considerably restored. It`s a two storey timber framed and plastered building with roofs tiled. It has cross wings north and south. The upper storey of the north cross wing projects on curved brackets with remains of moulded capitals and shafts. The upper storey of the main block projects in a similar way. There are two small gables on the main block. The ground floor has been much altered and has modern windows (old style) which are fitted with diamond panes. All the walls are covered with light washed pebble-dash.

Almost opposite the Kings Arms is The Flying Chariot

Known as "The Flying Chariot" this building was formerly an Inn, and is situated at 92 Benton Street. It is of Cl6 origin but with largely C17 features, especially on the front which has elaborate ornamental detail. 

It is of L-shaped, two storey timber-framed and plastered construction with roofs tiled. The front and part of the south side have remains of extensive floral pargetting. There is elaborate carved wood detail on the whole of the front and the barge boards on north side. (See above picture)

The eaves board is carved and has the date 1656 over the North oriel window. It has a three window range, all oriel windows and supported by three brackets. They are all, except one, carved with the head of a man, said to be Charles I. See image below.

The eaves board is supported by six similar brackets. The oriel windows are of five lights with transoms and many of the leaded casements are original. The ground floor has one doorway with heavy carved pediment supported by brackets carved as lions. The door has six panels. Large rectangular chimney stack south part of front block, and at the back a two storey oriel window projecting from ground level. There is some good interior detail, including some painting, which I would love to see.

One of the Oriel windows 

Haven Alms-houses - numbers 110 to 118 are of C17 construction, probably built by, or as a legacy of John Raven, circa 1636 (which was the year of his death). Born in Hadleigh, he went to Cambridge University and eventually qualified as a medical physician (MD) (Physician to Anne of Denmark)

The main block is of one storey, with a cross wing at the north end which is of two storeys. The building is timber-framed and plastered, with roofs tiled. The cross wing has a projecting upper storey on the front and some of the timber framing is exposed on part of the main block and cross wing. Doors are approached by small steps with handrail.

Numbers 130 to 134 are a group of C17/C18 cottages with modern additions both at the north west and south east ends. It is a two storey timber framed and plastered building, with the roofs tiled. It has mostly casement windows. Otherwise, no particular external features.

Benton End House is probably C16 and later, and the Architect is said to be Sir Peter Cheyney. Benton End House has a rich artistic and horticultural history. The artist, art teacher and plantsman, Sir Cedric Morris, bought the house from Sir Alfred Sainsbury in 1939 and opened The East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing.

Students at the school lived and studied at Benton End House, which is how Lucien Freud came to live here for a period of time in 1940. Lucien was a student of Morris’, and was painted by him in the first floor studio here, which is now the master bedroom.

Maggi Hambling is also known to have studied here, and she worked in the kitchen during her school holidays. I can think of worse places to work.

The house itself is C16 and later, of two storeys and attics, timber framed and plastered, with a tiled roof. Front wings extend north and south, and a wing at the back extends east. The front has been largely altered and includes C18 features. There are 3 gabled attic dormers. 

The upper storey projects and there is a large, shouldered chimney at either end. The central doorcase has flat hood on scroll brackets. At the north end of the front is an octagonal brick pier with pointed cap. The east wing has a brick gable with octagonal flank piers, coping and a chimney stack with two octagonal shafts (moulded bases). 

Altogether, a beautiful road which I never tire of walking along. As I said earlier, modern day traffic is in danger of ruining it for residents, and those walking through.

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