Church St

Church St contains many historical buildings including:

Foresters, 5 Church St – see separate entry

The Guildhall – see separate entry

St Nicholas Church – see separate entry

Three Cups Hotel – This was built early in the 16th Century on an L shaped plan and a further wing was added in 17th Century. It was extensively restored in 1949 when the top storey was lopped off and the front rebuilt. A little of the Elizabethan character remains however. The building is referred to in Elizabethan times as a mansion house belonging to Michael Twitt (related to Christopher Jones). Before the Guildhall was built, many Sessions of the Peace (Petty Sessions) were held here as this was also the residence of several of the mayors. Nelson also stayed here with Lady Hamilton. The building is now a private residence but a plaque has been erected on it to show its historical significance.

12 Church St – Edwardian and the old Barclays Bank building.

13 Church St – Late Victorian fronting of Watson's Printing & Publishing House.

14 & 15 Church St – a 17th Century timber framed and plastered house refronted in the late 18th Century as two shops. The earlier house had an overhanging upper storey. Part of the street was taken when the new frontage was built out. The interior has a 17th Century plaster ceiling on the first floor decorated with roses and Fleur de lis. Pleasant cornice above upper windows.

Post Office – 1930 Post Office style – Portland stone

18 & 18A Church St – Next to the Post Office. A timber framed and plastered house with double gables and an overhanging upper storey. Pleasant refronting (dated 1698) of an earlier Elizabethan house.

22 & 22A Church St – This was previously the Dukes Head Inn, delicensed in 1972, and has now been restored to two residences. A 16th Century timber framed and plastered house built over 13th Century cellars of septaria. It was refronted in Georgian times.

57 Church St – Originally a 15th Century timber framed and plastered house with three gables, however only one gable now remains. The Wheafsheaf pub was built on the site of the other two gables.

Stingray pub (formerly The Wheatsheaf) – The Wheatsheaf was rebuilt in 1920/1930 and was a replacement for the London Tavern on the opposite side of the road. It was a Co-operative pub until the 1960's and was the only pub in the South of England where you could get 'Coop divi' on a pint. It had a complete set of Wedgwood beer pumps (blue and white).