Nineteenth century public house, The Rifleman Pub, Rifle Hill (EHER 80277)

A 19th century brick-built public house with slated gabled roof, and mid 20th century flat-roofed extension to the East and North. A range of 19th century outbuildings project from the North elevation. Internally the building was remodelled in the 20th century and shows no evidence of historic fixtures or fittings.

April 2017. Heritage assessment. The Rifleman Public House was built between 1839 and 1876. It is built of red and buff brickwork and was rendered with hard cement in the mid to late 20th century. It has a simple slack pitched grey slated roof, gabled at each end, with two large square 19th century style chimney stacks placed at either end. In the Southern elevation, there are four original sash windows. Access to the below-ground cellar, which occupies half of the floor plan, is via a set of sub-terranean stairs at the West elevation. The East elevation has been extended with a characterless single storey, flat-roofed building, constructed sometime between 1953 and 1969. It is built of blockwork and steel with a flat asphalted roof. The North elevation shares the same details as the South and the two upper sash windows remain. Inside nearly the entire rear wall of the house has been removed. The flat-roofed extension wraps around the back of the house to form the lounge and games area of the pub. There is a set of French windows to match the casements. The back door is a cheap 1960’s plain door with aluminium fittings and wired glass light. Service buildings adjoined to the rear at a right angle consist of an attached kitchen and a separate range of utility buildings. Only the kitchen retains its original form as the other buildings have been remodelled for 20th century uses, such as an above-ground beer cellar. Internally, the building has been remodelled in the 20th century and there are no historic details. <1>