Building record IPS 1979 - Neptune Inn, 86-88 Fore Street, Ipswich

86 Fore Street: A C15-C16 timber-framed and plastered building, originally the Old Neptune Inn, considerably restored but retaining many original features. A C15 hall block extends east and west and a C16 Solar wing extends south at the rear. It is dated 1639, probably recording the time alterations were made to the house. The front has a projecting eaves with a carved eaves board supported by carved brackets. The first storey has 2 oriel bay windows with lattice leaded lights and fine carved frames, supported on carved brackets. Small mullioned casements flank the oriels below the eaves. The ground storey has one 6-light mullioned and transomed window (with 2 carved mullions). There is a 4-centred doorway with carved spandrels representing Neptune and a coa serpent. A painted panel between the oriels has a similar representation. At the rear a solar wing extends south, timber framed and plastered, with a jettied upper storey with large casements and a large mullioned and transomed window on the ground storey. The interior has a fine C17 fireplace and moulded beams and ceiling joists. Roofs tiled, with 2 gabled dormers on the front (S1).

88 Fore Street: A small C15-C16 timber framed building altered in the C17 and later. Originally it was a butcher's shop and then became incorporated into the Neptune Inn. (Now Nos 86 and 88 form one tenement). The front is earlier than that of No 86 but much altered. 2 storeys and attics. The upper storey is jettied and supported on curved brackets with the remains of a moulded capital and shaft. There is an embattled wall plate. One window range, mullioned and transomed windows with lattice leaded lights. (3 lights on the ground storey and 6 lights on the 1st storey). At the rear a gallery wing extends to the south with a jettied upper storey and exposed timber-framing on the ground storey. Originally this gallery was part of No 90 but is now incorporated in No 88, and forms a fine courtyard at the rear. The upper storey has a long range of mullioned windows, the centre section of which is original and the outer sections are restored, with moulded sills. The ground storey has a doorway with a 4 centred arch with carved spandrels. Roof tiled, with one gabled dormer on the front (S2).

Timber-framed building survey of Ipswich (S3).