Buildings
16th Century Courtyard House
One range of a 16th century timber-framed courtyard house (some of the other ranges that would have formed the courtyard, have been lost) It’s to be found to the rear or west of Phillip’s Antiques on Bancroft in Hitchin.
The Biggin
The Biggin on Biggin Lane next to the market in Hitchin, used to be the Gilbertine Priory (founded in 1361 by Sir Edward de Kendale) and what is the Priory used to be the Carmelite Friary. The nave of the Gilbertine church survives in the south wing of the building and the Prior’s lodging on the first floor of the west wing. The east end was devastated by fire around 1500 and never rebuilt. After the dissolution in 1539, it was converted into a private house by adding a new east wing.
A Rather Grand Staircase
The beautiful grand staircase in the now closed, Phillips of Hitchin (A circa 1700 house on Bancroft in Hitchin)
A Painted Fireplace
A rare painted fireplace dating from about 1600. (Either Late Elizabethan or early Jacobean) It’s in a building at the back of what used to be Tim’s Art at 85 Tilehouse Street in Hitchin. It shows vegetation and perhaps a formal garden. The building is now in private ownership and can no longer be seen unfortunately but hopefully it has been preserved.
Strange Building in Hitchin
This strange building is behind the restaurant Bella Vita on Sun Street. It’s either a terrible nightmare for an architect to ‘read’ or an absolute thrill to ‘decode’. I suspect (as do others) that it has been cobbled together from lots of other buildings (Cheap materials) I really enjoy looking at it, but make if it what you will. Derek Wheeler of ‘The Hitchin Historical Society’ has suggested that it was part of the Girls’ School that was run in Roslyn House during the 19th Century; and that later became a furniture shop until 1910 (approximately), accounting for the mélange of styles and building materials.
(Update) Since I last took it’s photograph, the building has lost its little curvy stairs and there is a huge pile of bricks to the left of where the stairs used to be. I wonder if they are going to re-do them or do a disabled access ramp? Who knows?
Cloister Garth
This doorway leads into Hitchin Priory’s Cloister Garth (14th Century) from its west wall and above this is the hall (Late 16th to early 17th Century) that is in the previous post.
Que Pasa
Here is an inside tilt-shifted shot of Que Pasa before the public are allowed in. This pub used to be known as The Corn Exchange and was used as such, then became a craft market before becoming a public house. It is a great space with a lovely glass and metal roof and could be greater, if only they would spend some money on doing the place up.
National Westminster House
Just for a change, I thought to upload a photograph of the back of a building. (not normally seen and photographed all the less). This was called the National Westminster House and is on Hermitage Road. It used to contain The Yorkshire Bank amongst other businesses such as The Motor Agents Association. I find this side of the building rather more interesting than the front just by the fact of having a set of stairs tacked on to its outside rather than being incorporated inside the building.