Nineteenth century public house, The Queens Head, 140 Rayne Road, Braintree (EHER 80278)
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Summary
A brick-built public house with a centrally-placed front door, two bay windows and three windows to the upper, originally constructed in 1839 as the doctor's house for the adjacent Union Workhouse opened in 1838.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | TL 7517 2310 (point) |
|---|
Type and Period
- HEALTH WORKERS HOUSE (Mid 19th century to Late 19th century - 1839 AD (once between) to 1871 AD? (throughout))
- BEER HOUSE (Late 19th century to 21st century - 1871 AD (throughout) to 2100 AD (at some time))
- (Alternate Type) PUBLIC HOUSE (Late 19th century to 21st century - 1871 AD (throughout) to 2100 AD (at some time))
- CELLAR (Mid 19th century to Modern - 1839 AD (once between) to 2050 AD (throughout))
Description
June 2015. Heritage assessment.
A brick-built public house with a centrally-placed front door, two bay windows and three windows to the upper, originally constructed in 1839 as the doctor's house for the adjacent Union Workhouse opened in 1838. It first opened as a beer house in 1871 and the name had been recognised by 1879. It is not known when it ceased to be under the control of the workhouse. In 1881 it was recorded as a Ridley house, and by about 1902 it was noted as a Taylor Walker house but the brewery withdrew at the start of WWI. Most recently it has been a Greene King house.
The building is in good quality red brick and the South frontage is further decorated by using a facing of pale gault brick. This was bonded to the red brick by a pier to the West and as a quoin to the East. This type of brick was also used to build the bay windows, although a difference can be seen in the brick for the bays suggesting a gap of about 80 years before the bays were added, perhaps in the 1920s. The whole building is covered by a low pitch fully hipped slated roof and there are two chimney stacks, one to the East and one to the West. To the right of the front door, the Greene King terracotta sign set into the brickwork has been broken out leaving a scar to the front elevation.
Internally, the building has been opened up to allow for the installation of a central bar unit with seating areas to either side. Some historic features survive. The West wall has a surviving 19th century cast-iron fireplace, whilst that in the East wall is now blocked. On the first floor, several doors appear to be originals and are adorned with brass door knobs.
To the rear (North) a modern single-storey extension with a part vaulted ceiling may have been added in phases and provides extra seating. Below the main block is a cellar now entered from the centre passage near the stair to the upper floor.
This assessment was undertaken in advance of conversion of the building into offices. <1>
Sources
- <1> SEX75412 Building Recording Report: Watkin, B. and Watkin, E.. 2015. Historic Analysis of the building known as the Queens Head Public House, 140 Rayne Road, Braintree, Essex. CM7 2QR.