Building record 2853/0/94 - Cross Keys Public House, West Street

A 17th century house that was converted into a public house in 1732 is located on the northern side of West Street at its junction with Park Street. It is constructed of squared coursed limestone and ashlar with a double pitch Collyweston slate roof. The street facade has a five window range of casements with wooden shutters to the first floor and two large casement windows under wooden lintels to the ground floor right. The entrance is on the left side of the ground floor with two canted bay windows to the centre. The building has had 18th and 19th century additions and alterations.

Public house. C17, C18 and C19. Squared coursed limestone and limestone ashlar, with Collyweston slate roof. 3-unit plan with wing to rear. 2 storeys. 5-window range. C19, five-light, 2-storey stone mullion bay window, to far left, has cross keys on plaque between floors. Casement windows with glazing bars, to first floor, and 2 tall C20 casements under wood lintels, to ground floor right. 2 canted bay windows with ashlar bases and casement windows, to centre. Arch-head doorway, to left, has triple stepped keyblocks, capitals and C20 door. Moulded wood cornice. Ashlar gable parapet to right and stone stacks at ridge and end. Left of range is squared coursed limestone and right of range is ashlar and was probably added C18. Rear wing is similar. Left hand corner has springing of a former carriage arch. Interior has open fireplace with bressumer in centre room and ceiling beams. (RCHM: An Inventory of Architectural Monuments in North Northamptonshire: p102).

{3} An inn of the same name was established here by 1732, but the building is of 17th-century origin. The rear wing, probably of 17th-century date, with wide fireplace and vaulted cellar, extends beyond the stair block. The east end of the main range affords a large parlour of late 18th-century date, probably connected with the use of the building as an inn.

{4} Undated photo;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 12/137 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, p.72 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN40683.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1984, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 102 (Series). SNN77384.

<4> Photographs of buildings in King's Cliffe (Photographs). SNN112705.

<5> Historic England, Undated, CROSS KEYS, KINGS CLIFFE, BF084164 (Archive). SNN114404.

Record last edited

Nov 25 2022 12:40PM