48-50-52 High Street

External Features:

48, 50, 52 High Street street view

Unfortunately a hotch-potch of shop fronts conceals the fact that this is one integral building under a large Kent peg-tiled roof. Three small dormer windows light the attics. At the rear there are hipped roofs to an extended part of the building. These elevations are hung with tiles in a pleasing and decorative fashion.

Historical Development:

Fig. 1 – Plans and description of the rooms as shown by John Fenner’s Probate Inventory on 10 th August 1702

The earliest part of the building is approximately 42 ft. long by 20 ft. deep, and of 16th-century date. The High Street front once had a jettied overhang and appears to have been close-studded. During restor- ation work in 1977, two medieval-type windows with diamond-section mullions, were exposed. This type was in use before medieval windows were glazed. This feature is interesting as it shows that the windows looked out onto open ground, i.e., before No. 54, the large 17th century house on the corner was built. Internally, it is on the second floor that curved braces and close studding still exist.

In the 17 th century the building was extended at the rear, possibly by a Thomas Fenner, a draper and grocer, who died in 1694. He was succeeded by his son, John, described as a ‘gent’, whose goods and chattels were valued at his death in 1702 at £2,808, a large sum in those days (Fig. 1).

In the 19th century, the then owner built a house in the garden (Fig. 2). Instead of living over the shop, he elected to live in the new house. The old building was given over to business and accommodation for living-in staff. Later still, this house was abandoned and a covered way erected to join the house and shop, thus making a complete commercial unit.

Briscall W., 1987, Discovering Ashford’s Old Buildings, Ashford, LRB Historical Publications

List Entry on Historic England

Fig. 1 – Present day Ground Floor Plan

List entry Number: 1071093

Grade: II

Date first listed: 15-Apr-1975

  1. 5344 HIGH SWEET (North Side) No 48 No 50 15.4.75. No 52 TR 0142 NW 1/195
    II GV
  2. Timber-framed range, outwardly early C18 range of 2 storeys, partly stuccoed and partly painted brick. Tiled roof with 3 dormers. Modillion eaves cornice except to No 48. 4 windows, 2 obscured by fascias of modern shop fronts. The others are sashes with verticals only. The rear elevation has a partly hipped roof and is tile hung with some curved tiles.

Nos 34 to 54 (even) form a group. Nos 34 to 44 (even) are of local interest.

Listing NGR: TR0106042836