Stock House, Ware Street: Bearsted Buildings No3

This is a late C15 early 16th C timber framed building with plaster infill. It is a Wealden house with a hall with a storeyed bay at either end, the one to the left longer than the one to the right.

A two-storeyed house with both ends jettied. The left gable has a moulded dragon post, which you cannot see. The roof is hipped with a gablet to both ends. The brick chimney stack is on the front roof off centre to the left.

There is one small original window opening either side of central post to left bay and one C19 3-light casement to unrestored right hand bay. Restored tall open-hall window to right of hall.

You cannot see the C20 Tudor-arched door-head at right end of left end bay or the original narrow Tudor-arched door-head immediately to left. But you can see the C20 brick lean-to to right.

According to my wife the outside of this building was concealed for many years until a restoration gradually revealed the frame and plaster structure you see today. Unfortunately it is on a main road and protected by the later wall. The left hand elevation of the building is very pleasing but always has a vehicle parked so interfering with the view.

Its been a full on day today. I was beginning to think today was the day I finally failed to get a blip but out on our evening walk another in the series of Buildings of Bearsted presented itself. Plenty more to see. After that there was a wonderful sunset with oranges and later pinks flushing the sky.

Earlier in the day I went blackberrying and came back with over 5lbs of fruit to make jelly and jam. While I was out getting scratched Susan was making all sorts of dishes for tomorrow. In the afternon I washed the car then cooked lunch before we went on our evening constitutional.