From Appendix 7.8 – Warminster’s Heritage Topic Paper. Additional information to support the Warminster Neighbourhood Plan. Produced in 2024.
Locally Valued Heritage Assets (LVHA)
Map Ref. No. 24.
Database Ref. LVHA59.1
Asset Name: No 4 Emwell Street.
Description:
These are tall, semi-detached houses of golden coloured ashlar stone
and plain detailing typically found in the earlier half of the 19th
century. There is a plain string course between ground and first floor,
with both windows, chamfered doorway and a bootscraper recessed
within the façade. The front door is reached by several steps. At the
rear the garden elevation is similar with windows having wide plain
surrounds and projecting sills. There is a shallow brick stack with
plain coping and moulded architraves. The ashlar wall rises from a
brick plinth. The plan is that of a tunnel back house, often found in
towns, where the rooms are one behind the other. A long passage
leads alongside to the kitchen and on the other side is a stick baluster
stair with cupboard space below. All the windows seem to be
replacements. What is remarkable about the house is the good
quality of woodwork throughout. The mainly 6-panel fielded doors
on plain brass hinges are in oak along with the close-moulded
architraves, floorboards and other panelling. A plain picture (cornice)
rail has been added to the west end bedroom. During the 19th
century tiles enabled a shallow pitch of roof to be achieved. This roof
is in a mixture of softwood and oak. Normally only softwood is seen
at this date. There are collar trusses with plain central kingposts, the
favoured type of construction at this date, supporting a planked
ridge. The collars rest on the top of the brick partition wall with
struts on either side supporting the oak butt purlins. From a very
brief glance at the deeds relating to the house what is significant is
that Ann Allen Provis, widow of Samuel Provis, timber merchant
appears to be selling the house in 1826 to James Parsons, innholder
and maltster. It is possible that Provis was responsible for rebuilding
an earlier house before this time, say around 1800 judging by original
features. (Recorded on Wiltshire Buildings Record B11605).
How asset met Historic England critera –
Rarity (R)
Architectural or Artistic Interest (AA)
Group Value (GV)
Archaeological Interest (AI)
Historic Interest / Association (HI/A)
(AAI) What is remarkable about the house is the good quality of woodwork throughout. The mainly 6-panel fielded doors on plain brass hinges are in oak along with the close-moulded architraves, floorboards and other panelling. A plain picture (cornice) rail has been added to the west end bedroom. Roof space During the 19th century tiles enabled a shallow pitch of roof to be achieved. This roof is in a mi xture of softwood and oak. Normally only softwood is seen at this date. There are collar trusses with plain central kingposts, the favoured type of construction at this date, supporting a planked ridge. The collars rest on the top of the brick partition wall with struts on either side supporting the oak butt purlins. From a very brief glance at the deeds relating to the house what is significant is that Ann Allen Provis, widow of Samuel Provis, timber merchant appears to be selling the house in 1826 to James Parsons, innholder and maltster. It is possible that Provis was responsible for rebuilding an earlier house before this time, say around 1800 judging by original features. (GV) Built as pair. (HI) Blank windows may be example of the effect of Window Tax which was repealed in 1851.
Additional comments:
Good examples of early C19 terrace with functional details preserved.