Description

WETHERINGSETT-CUM-BROCKFORD BROCKFORD STREET (east
TM 16 NW side)
6/108
Bridge House
29.7.55

GV
II
House. Known to have been an inn in C16, and a farmhouse from C17 to mid C19.
In 3 main sections: (i) an early C16 2-cell range to south; (ii) a mid C16 in-
line addition to north; (iii) a mid C16 wing to rear (east) of earlier work.
A fragment of a further C16 range at the rear, reduced in length c.1948 and
now corner-to-corner with the rear wing. Timber framed and plastered. South
range has a plaintiled roof, hipped to the south; north range is pantiled to
front and slated to rear; rear range is plaintiled to south and glazed black
pantiled to north. 2 storeys, former attic in north range. Continuous jetty
to road, a small section underbuilt; north range has moulded bressumer. C20
casement windows of various sizes, all with squared-leaded glass. South range
has a small late C19 ground floor canted bay with sash windows. At north end
of front, a door with 6 flush panels; large overlight. Fine stack at south
end of north range has 3 circular shafts decorated with Fleur-de-lys and
saltires, on moulded bases. A similar stack in the rear wing has 2 of the
shafts rebuilt in plain form, the original moulded bases surviving; the third
shaft has Fleur-de-lys motifs. Interior. South range comprises hall and
service cells. Hall ceiling has heavy chamfered cross beams, originally knee-
braced to the wallposts. Plain joists in service end, originally 2 rooms;
partition wall with hall removed. On upper floor, front wall has tension
braces and 2 oriel window sills. In rear wall, 2 adjacent C16 doorways, one
original; one doorway may have led into a gallery associated with use as an
inn. Framing in south gable end shows evidence for a doorway which probably
led into a garderobe. Later upper ceilings and replacement tie beams; roof
reconstructed. North range of high quality: a little heavy close studding
visible on upper floor, the timbers otherwise largely concealed. High upper
ceilings. Roof has one row of clasped purlins, 2-way arched wind bracing and
evidence for 2 original dormers in rear slope. Rear wing in 4 bays. Good
studding with evidence for diamond-mullioned windows, one on upper floor
intact. Forwardmost bay has close studding and chamfered-joist ceiling.
Former smoke bay adjacent has inserted stack and inserted ceiling with
irregularly-chamfered joists set flat. At rear, a 2-bay room with plain
ceiling joists. Well stair of c.1800 in rear wing has stick balusters and
shaped tread-ends. 2 upper fireplaces have duck's nest grates of similar
date.

Listing NGR: TM1181366908

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26477437

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)