Month: July 2023

When we moved into our current house, the previous owners left behind a whole load of information relating to local history and local walks. I dug out this one and went on walkabout to see what had changed since this was written by Dennis Turner in 1991. Much of what is described remains the same, just a few of the shops have closed (Knights, The Pantry, Ancient House Bookshop).

1. Old Town Hall

Built in 1728-9, with typical ‘Queen Anne’ details, originally as a Market and Sessions House with open arcaded ground floor and courtroom above,. The cupola and clock were added around 1810, having previously capped the town lock-up which stood just to the east. Chimneys were added when a fireplace was put in the court room – three chimneys were dummies and they were all removed during recent restoration work.

2. 4a High Street

An interesting timber-framed town house of c. 1600. Originally this was a doubled jettied building with both its first floor and its attick projecting: both jetties have been underbuilt. This used to be apparant from timber framing exposed in the side wall next to the narrow alleyway but the framing has now been largely covered by modern tile-hanging.

3. Castle Grounds

Now public gardens in the middle of the town overlooking the roof tops. Only the earthworks of the castle, held successively by the de Warennes, the Fitzalans and Mowbrays, remain.

4. Castle Cottage

Late 17th-century, timber-framed cottage with tile hanging and a ‘catslide’ roof at rear.

5. Gateway

Built 1777 by Richard Barnes, a local attorney, in ‘Gothic’ style using material taken from the grounds.

6. Inner Ward of Castle

Now an attractive garden but the surrounding hedge has grown too high, cutting off the views down into the town. More distant views out to the North Downs and Leith Hill survive. Through the gateway in the stone pyramid in the middle of the lawn can be seen steps to the caves.

7. 32 High Street

Rear flank wall, 17th-century timber framing. This building was once a brewhouse.

8. 42-50 High Street

17th and 18th-century buildings including 48-50 High Street , two attached houses of c. 1600, once the offices of Richard Barnes who built the Gothic gateway in the castle. Now combined into one property and tile hung. Many of the internal timbers can still be seen in the shop.

9. 53-53a High Street

Next to the obtrusive supermarket. Behind the dull facade is the well-preserved timber frame of a late medieval house (c. 1500). Smoke-blackened timbers in the roof show that originally there was an open hall in the middle.

10. Bulls Head Public House

17th-century inn with timber framing exposed in cart entrance to rear.

11. 65 High Street (The Pantry – now Giggling Squid)

18th-century brick building with fine porch and fanlight.

12. Red Cross Public House

17th-century inn named after the chapel of the Holy Cross which once stood opposite in what is now the roadway.

13. 6 Slipshoe Street

Pair of timber-framed late 16th-century houses with continuously jettied front, the timber framed overhang now tile hung.

14. Old Sweep’s House, 10 Slipshoe Street

Late medieval house, originally partly open to the roof, c. 1500. The left hand wing used to have a jettied upper storey, now underbuilt.

15. The Old House, 20 Upper West Street

18th-century house with modest doorcase and fanlight

16. St Albans, 28 West Street

c. 1830

17. Horse Trough

Provided, c.1870, by Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association.

18. 36 West Street

Central chimney house of c. 1600, recently partly restored. Former forge here was recently replaced by offices and extension housing workshops.

19. Old West Street House

Late 17th-century house with dormer windows and pediment over door. House is partly timber-framed with red brick infilling as can be seen at the east gable end. The building was once a school.

20. Farley Cottage

Dated 1626 on a gable.

21. Browne’s Lodge, 22 West Street

Built 1785 by William Bryant. Modestly proportioned late Palladian style house using island site to great advantage. Imposing west facade has pediment bearing swags and Coade stone plaque of woman’s face.

22. 31 West Street

Stuccoed cottage with gothic ogee windows, c. 1800. Glazing bars still remain in upper storey windows, c. 1800.

23. Blue Anchor Public House

17th century

24. 19 & 21 West Street

Early 17th century central chimney house, divided into two and partly refronted 18th century.

25. 15th Century vaulted undercroft

Built of local stone and preserned in situ within the underground carpark. Probably originally undercorft of medieval market house which stood in the triangle between Upper West Street and West Street.

26. 77a High Street

Originally part of the Red Lion Inn, truncated for road widening c. 1905. Late medieval or Tudor timbering can be seen behind the window.

27. Butcher’s Shop, once ‘Bellinghams’, 77 High Street

Early 19th century with typical regency pillared canopy.

28. Geranium Cottage

17th century, two-bay brick cottage.

29. Priory Lodge Cottage, 7 Park Lane

Formerly lodge to Priory

30. Priory Park

Possibly once the precinct of the medieval priory and later the park of the Howards. Acquired by the Corporation and so far unspoilt by traffic or building. The park was saved from buidling development after the 2nd World War by the efforts of local residents, notably Frank Potter, who went on to found the Reigate Society.

31. The Priory

In use as a school. Very little identifiable of the medieval foundation remains, and that entirely inside. After the Dissolution in 1535, the building was granted in 1541 to Lord Howard of Effingham who built a house on the site. The north gables of the mansion can be seen from the playground on the west side, behind the fine iron railing (c. 1710) which originally stood on Bell Street side of the building. These were moved to this position by a teetotal owner, Lady Henry Somerset, c. 199

32. The Stoneman’s and Ancient House Bookshop, 49-51 Bell Street

16th century with crosswing.

33. 38 Bell Street

Early 18th century facade has been restored to put the entrance back in the centre where it belonged,

34. 37-39 Bell Street

Pair of mid-18th-century houses with double porch.

35. 16 Bell Street

Late 18th century, exterior restored 1990. Fine porch and railings with urn finals.

36. Knights, 10-12 Bell Street

Once ‘The Grapes’. Good regency facade.

37. 15 Bell Street

Early 19th-century facade with hood over bow front window on first floor. This building incorporates the shell of St Lawrence’s Chapel, only survivor of town’s three medieval chapels.

38. The White Hart Inn (now 1-3 Bell Street)

A famous coaching inn of c. 1760, demolished in 1933 and replaced by a flabby neo-Georgian terrace.