Building record WBG 199 - The Manor House

A two storey rendered building, with plinth, with a plain tiled roof (thatch originally) presenting with the main ridge line running parallel to the street. The listing description gives a date of C17th but its likely that the core of the building pre-dates this assessment and is at least contemporaneous with the neighbouring property No 29.

The Manor House has all the characteristics and features of a C17th cross-passage house; with a buttery and pantry, hall and parlour serviced by the cross passage running perpendicular to the street to the private compound at the rear of the building. The axial beam in the drawing room has the open mortice joints for a screen that could have formed the buttery and pantry divide that has since been removed. The decorative overmantel in the parlour would attest to a house of significance. However an alternate theory to the cross-passage origin of the house, is that the building was constructed in the C16th as two smaller crosspassage dwellings/ commercial premises, mirrored on the line of what is now the internal chimney. Given the close proximity of the quay, this would suggest a more modest property typology, probably for merchants given the location close to the quay and the commercial centre. The dual cross passages from Cumberland Street remain clearly evident in the fabric and define the plan form in its present configuration. The title deeds certainly support the position that irrespective of the original form, it was split into multiple occupancy early in its history. The deeds show that by 1884, the asset had been subdivided into three dwellings, oflower status again; a typical fate for the cross passage house in this region. The additional front door directly into No 25 forming this triple occupancy together with the C18th rear range with independent stair survive in the fabric today (S1).