NHER 32074 (Building record) - The Cock Inn (Cockers)

September 1996. Survey. The Cock Inn (Cockers).
On fringe of pre 19th century town, part of street frontage of north side.
Tall (rebuilt) stack against adjacent building to west. Two storeys, rendered facade. Interior of ground floor (bar) reveals that right hand (east) end is of late date, with 19th century fireplace; spine beam is plain and now abuts onto end of spine beam in western section, resting on post; east end therefore probably a later domestic building, incorporated. West spine beam has tongue stops; west end set in brick stack laid in English bond. Wide fireplace but bressumer is a more recent insertion. Half a lava millstone is set into the rear of the hearth. Recess to south of stack, called priest hole in (S1), is really a simple alcove that was later blocked up. The west wall has a timber frame above brickwork, the south wall has a brick return. The building is probably a late 17th century single cell two storey dwelling with west gable stack. Though the combination of timber framed end wall and brick return is unusual. (Was the end wall always a partition to another house?) The millstone is a very interesting feature.
E. Rose (NLA), 24 September 1996.