The Friary (East) and attached yard walls to NW (EHER 38229)

A substantial early 19th century house, now a youth centre, and attached wall. The south east walls are built of grey Gault brick and the north and west walls of red brick. It has a slate-covered hipped roof, which is situated well behind plain parapets. The building is three storeys with large 20th century extensions to the east partially covering the east elevation.

September 1971. Grade II listed. A substantial early 19th century house, now a youth centre, and attached wall. The south east walls are built of grey Gault brick and the north and west walls of red brick. It has a slate-covered hipped roof, which is situated well behind plain parapets. The building is three storeys with large 20th century extensions to the east partially covering the east elevation. The south elevation is symmetrical with a central projecting Greek Doric portico with flat roof, cornice, entablature with triglyphs, and a pair of columns either side of a wide central opening. The columns and respond pilasters are fluted for two-thirds of length. The portico stands on an elevated Portland stone paved platform with three stone steps and blocks to the sides with recessed rectangular panels. Within are a set of double doors with a rectangular fanlight. The east (entrance) elevation has an off-centre doorcase on the ground floor with a strongly projecting hood on console brackets. Internally there is a broad central corridor leading from the south portico, to a square vestibule on the cross-axis of a similar hall to the entrance front door. Two large southern ground floor rooms have elaborate plaster cornices and marble fireplaces. The main staircase has been much altered but has windows, now blocked, on each landing. There are two service staircases, one with boarded panelling up to handrail and tight dogleg plan form with a 'cage' of stick balusters. There is an 'L-plan' red brick wall in 'English Garden Wall' bond which is attached to the NW corner, enclosing the yard to the west and linking with the west boundary wall. This has a pointed-arched gate opening and an oval window with cross-pattern glazing bars in its north-projecting part, and ramped coping on the return part. <1> See photos <2> and <3>. The Carmelite Friary was established on the site in 1293 and continued there until the time of the reformation in 1537 when under Henry VIII it ceased to be a Friary. The land was leased to William Harrys who used it for the holding of assemblies and plays. From 1544 to 1563 it changed ownership several times until finally Vincent Harrys acquired the land and built the Mansion house. In 1803 Thomas Lee demolished the Mansion House and built Friary East and then shortly after that Friary West (EHER 38232). <4>