The Old Friary

In 1544 the guesthouse was sold to John Pope and Anthony Foster. At some later date it was sold again to the Wharton family, who added a projecting wing.

The buildings are a mix of brick and stone construction and stands on the stone footings of one of the earlier friary buildings. Some of the brickwork exhibits a diaper pattern using sunken bricks. The brick eastern portion may date from a rebuilding after the 1449 fire, with Henry VI as the patron. At this time the Crown was the patron of other major brick buildings, including Eton College and Queens' College, Cambridge. The roof is tiled and the internal partition walls are timber framed. Within the westernmost building a number of painted wall plasters dating from about the time of the Dissolution were discovered during the restoration work. A panelled room in the building is dated to…