Building record 1087800000 - EIGHT BELLS PH, 51 HIGH STREET

Grade II. C17 to 18. One storey and attic. Painted rendering on rubble or witchert. Rubble stone north gable walls. Old tile roof. Stack to left of centre opposite door. Sash window each end of ground floor, door centre left with small triple sash window to centre right. Two gabled dormers above sashes, with 2-light casements. Inn sign on iron bracket. Rear wing (visible from Chearsley Road) is 2 storeys, painted brick, tiled roof higher than front block. Modern extension in angle. Lower link to stone and brick stable with loft door in gable, tiles, lean-to garage on west side (B1).
1 cruck truss identified. Source: Roger Evans, Buckinghamshire CC (B2).
The Eight Bells probably originated as a three-bay house. One cruck truss remains, with a truncated apex (type 'W'). Documentary research suggests that the two adjacent interlocking properties can be traced back to 1577 and that they were all originally in common (Dormer) ownership. The use of the building as an inn can be documented from 1753, when it was known as The Five Bells. See report for detail (B3).