Building record 2416/0/315 - Outbuilding Adjoining West of No.5 New Street

Outbuilding, possibly former brewhouse, latterly also coach house and stable. Mid to late C17 with late C18 or early C19 alterations. Squared and coursed limestone with a Collyweston stone slate roof.

{1} Outbuilding, possibly former brewhouse, latterly also coach house and stable. Mid to late C17 with late C18 or early C19 alterations. Squared and coursed limestone with a Collyweston stone slate roof. Brick stack to rear. Three storeys. C17 four-light wooden ovolo-moulded mullioned windows to first and second floors with chamfered and stopped wooden lintels, both internally and externally. Windows formerly leaded and the second light from the left in each formerly an opening casement (see gudgeo pins). Some lights retain vertical diamond-section wooden bars. First-floor doorway to left with chamfered wooden lintel, both internally and externally, and plank door with old strap hinges. Ground-floor doorway to left, also with wooden lintel. Row of nesting boxes beneath eaves in front elevation. Left-hand gable end has late C18/early C19 first floor 3-light wooden window, ovolo moulded internally and formerly leaded, with wooden lintel. Second-floor 2-light wooden casement above, with mullion and stiles chamfered internally, probably also formerly leaded. Interior: former stable to right with stalls and chamfered joists. First floor with old floorboards, 2 chamfered and stopped transverse beams and 2 fireplaces in rear wall. Three-bay roof has tie-beam and collar trusses with queen struts.

{3} This is a building of special interest, remarkable for the survival of the original roof, floors, two fine moulded windows, with a further ventilation window in the gable end.
Unfortunately its primary purpose cannot now be ascertained by this study of the structure, but it is clear that it is something more than a simple backyard shed. The relatively large windows for the period on the upper floors ( and probably the ground floor) facing east, and probably glazed, suggest that it was fully occupied, possibly as a workshop, and in Oundle one would look to the leather industries for such a use. It may be of significance that the building with which it must be historically associated, the Oundle Cobbler, is still associated with such a trade. If this is so, the ground floor being naturally damper and poorly lit, could well be for the storage of raw materials including leather, and that the two upper workshops, with benches under the window, were reached by an external stair.
There is no significant evidence that the buildings were ever associated with the Old Talbot, even though it is built up against its rear/ Stable? Range, although as always, there are slight contrary indications. There is no structural provision for 'liquor' or water supply to and from the building, therefore it is fairly safe to conclude that it was not built as a brew-house, although, considering the history of Oundle. This does in no way preclude that it may have served this purpose at some time later in its career. In this respect the folk name should be respected.

{5} John Clifton, in September 1771, records working on the brew house of Mr Thomas Ellis at the Talbot- the town's most prestigious inn.

{7} C17 3-storey building. Original use uncertain but may relate to leather or cloth finishing trade. Building retains original windows and roof. Modifications made in early-mid C19.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 1/252 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), H16 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> Woodfield P., 2001, The Old Brewhouse, West Street, Oundle; An Architectural And Historical Survey, (unchecked) (Report). SNN100736.

<4> Ballinger J., 2000, SMR Report Form, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN100668.

<5> Brown M.; Willmott B., 1998, Brewed In Northants: A Directory Of Northamptonshire Brewers 1450-1998, p.91 (unchecked) (Directory). SNN100669.

<6> Ballinger J., 2000, The Old Brewhouse, West Street, Oundle, (unchecked) (Slides). SNN100670.

<7> Ballinger, J., 2001, The Old brewhouse, Oundle, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN106763.

<8> Hall D.N., 1960-1999, Rockingham Forest Project: Archaeological Sites Recorded by David Hall, (unchecked) (Database). SNN102279.

Record last edited

Sep 13 2019 11:23AM