Mid-late 16th century former timber framed house, formerly known as Spindles, Andersons Opticians, Wash Vac Services, Church Walk, Maldon (EHER 38261)

A mid to late 16th century timber framed jettied house, named Spindles, of four bays and used as offices and a shop at the time of listing in 1971. The northernmost two bays of the house have retained the original name 'Spindles' and on the ground floor have three slightly bowed 20th century shop-type windows with bulls-eye glass and a 20th century small-pane door. The adjoining part (southernmost two bays) has a 20th century shop front with small panes and a canted recessed entrance with a pair of 20th century doors, one leading to the upper floor. Since the list description was written in 1971, the adjoining unit has been adopted by the premises which it abuts to the south, EHER 38329, and is now in use as a public house. Internally, the timber framing has 'Colchester' type bracing and retains evidence of, now blocked, door and window openings. A first floor room of Spindles has much reused 17th century panelling on the door and partition. An early 19th century staircase at south end has side walls of painted 17th century panelling and, on an upper level, of 18th century raised-and-fielded panelling.

September 1971. Grade II listed. A 16th century timber framed and ashlar rendered house, now offices and a shop. The roof is covered in plain tile. The house is two storey and is now separated into a number of small units, with the northernmost two housing the shop 'Spindles'. The first floor has three windows with 16-pane sashes and one window with an 8-pane narrow sash with moulded surround. The ground floor of Spindles has three slightly bowed 20th century shop-type windows with bulls-eye glass and a 20th century small-pane door. The adjoining part has a 20th century shop front with small panes and a canted recessed entrances with a pair of 20th century doors, one leading to the upper floor. There is a chimney stack on the central ridgeline and a second stack on the rear wall. It abuts EHER 38260 to the north and EHER 38329 to the south. Internally, it is apparent the building is a former timber-framed house of mid/late 16th century with four floored bays, the centre two forming a hall and upper chamber. The partitions of the parlour and solar have curved wall bracing of 'Colchester' type between studs and the original door openings are now infilled. Two original window openings are also visible. A first floor room of Spindles has much reused 17th century panelling on the door and partition. A staircase at south end is of early 19th century and its side walls are of painted 17th century panelling and on an upper level, of 18th century raised-and-fielded panelling. The rear part of 'Wash Vac Services' premises (the former service end) has an early 19th century semicircular-arched recess on pilasters with reeded surround and cast-iron decorative column. <1> A mid to late 16th century long wall jettied house of four bays. Partitions have Colchester bracing, pegged not nailed to intermediate studs. The roof is a Queen strut with curved wind bracing. Lise at right angles to the High street and faces the east end of All Saints Church (EHER 7735). <2> Stephen Nunn describes the premises of 'Church Walk Row' as 'Maisie Woodward's house - Spindles (Booksellers) and Poole's Press Ltd, Printers'. A photograph from around 1960 in the article shows Spindles with a canopy over the shop window and a hanging sign on which the name 'Spindles' can be made out. Nunn also states 'they later evolved into a tea shop (1991), a temporary home for Maldon Museum (1992) and, more recently… the hairdressers The Old Cutting Rooms'. 'Part of the row is now home to osteopath Pat Murphy's relocated Courtyard Clinic'. <3> Note: The south two bays now form part of the adjoining southern premises, EHER 38329, and are in use as a public house.