NHER 15397 (Building record) - Willow House Restaurant

February 1980 and May 1983. Field Observation.
Visited by E. Rose (NAU).
Stated in NCM Bolingbroke Collection to be a pre-fire (1673) timber-framed building, formerly a vicarage.
Facade now has timbers exposed on upper storey; braces - arched at east end and straight at west - face in same direction! How much in fact of this studwork is original, and how much modern decoration?
Inside, some large reused joists, and some partition beams in pub style. Central brick chimney originally with fireplace each side, one now blocked and other replaced by imitation. Upper floor appears more original.
Difficult to date with so much alteration but probably 16th/17th century. A sign formerly outside read 'circa XIV'!).
Compiled by E. Rose (NAU), May 1983. Information from record card (S1).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 23 May 2023.

Listed 1983 as grade II as late 17th century with 18th century beam remaining.
The terriers show this was never a vicarage, which has always been on its present site.
Informant: [1] Watton historian, July 1984.
Information from record card (S1).

Newspaper photograph in file (S2).

Excerpt of Listing Description:
"Range of cottages, now restaurant. Late 17th century. Timber framed with brick and lath and plaster infill, rendered. Thatched roof. Two storeys on brick plinth. Close studded wall posts with altered bracing. First floor wall plate and raised second floor wall plate. 20th-century door to left below stack. Four early 18th-century casements to ground floor and four to upper floor, the latter in original openings. Two symmetrical ridge stacks on gabled roof. 19th-century pantiled lean-to outbuildings to rear. Interior much renovated. One 18th-century beam remains and fragments of others."
Information from (S1).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S1) for the full current listing details.
P. Watkins (HES), 23 May 2023.