Building record 1320701000 - 2 HIGH STREET, WEST WYCOMBE

Grade II. Late C17 or early C18. Red brick now colour washed, old tile roof, 2 storeys and attic; 1 ground floor window, 2 to 1st floor, 1 to attic, all casements with glazing bars, Yorkshire except to attic. Plain doorcase with cambered relieving arch, 6 panel door with 2 panels now glazed. 1st floor brick band with cut brick modillions, plain 2nd floor band. Gable end to street. Out buildings adjoining No 2 on West, Nos 2 to 5 (consec), Nos 7 to 9 (consec), The Swan Public House, West Wycombe Branch County Library, Nos 10 to 13 (consec), No 15, Black Boy Cottage, The George and Dragon Inn and Nos 16 to 23 (consec) form a group (B1).

No.2 is believed to have been constructed in the later 16th century and originaly continued west for another bay. In the 17th century the front section was added and the western bay demolished when the adjacent malthouse was constructed. The western part of the existing building is a 1.70m wide half-bay and has the appearance of being a cross passage. Blocked doorway in the western wall at the northern end of the passage which would have allowed access to the adjacent malthouse (2).

The eastern ground floor room; removal of the ceiling exposed 8 north-south joists spanning the the room, each had been limewashed. The floor incorporates joists of various dates including some that are laid horizontally that could be 17th century, other set more virtically suggestive of a 19th century date. The three eastern most joist are held within sockets within the brickwork. Above the joists undersides of limewashed boards are visible. Most appear to be primary, later 17th or early 18th century. The main room to the southern part of the ground floor is within the original 16th century part of the building. Bread oven and inglenook fireplace in the east wall (2).