downtonbuildings

The main Old Tannery building was erected in 1919 on the site of the original Tannery House (also known as Avon House). Prior to this the site as a whole had been known as The Tan Yard. It was redeveloped in the early 21st century - the façade of the main tannery building was retained and new flats were built behind it. All the other buildings were demolished and the Church Leat development built on their site.

Former occupiers (of the old Tannery House): Mr Gibbs-Bailey (1837); John Woodlands (1843); Mr Barclay (1813); Mr Barker (1914-1919).

Former occupiers (of Tan Yard and Tannery): Nobes and Hunt Ltd; Southern Tanning Company (1913-1935); Downton Tanning Co Ltd (1935-1998) (Telephone Downton 18 in 1953; Downton 33 in 1964).

- Here is the junction with Church Leat -

There were two shops here until an access was created to The Tannery. Each shop was occupied in turn by Downton Post Office. One of the shops was later occupied by 'Fishy' Hallett's Fishmongers and Fish and Chip Shop (Telephone Downton 78 in 1953).

The original Downton Telephone Exchange was also located in this area and was managed by William Flake.

The open area, up to the junction with Church Hatch, was previously known as The Square.

Telephone Kiosk (Downton 510291)

A grade II listed building.

Listing description: Telephone kiosk. Type K6. Designed 1935 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Made by various contractors. Cast iron. Square kiosk with domed roof. Unperforated crowns to top panels and margin glazing to windows and door.

Downton Library

Built in the early 21st century as part of the redevelopment of the former tannery site.

3 High Street (The Old Mansion House)

A grade II listed building, upgraded from grade III. Listed as a pair with 5 High Street.

Listing description: Pair of shops. Early C19. Plastered brick, Welsh slate hipped roof, brick stacks. 2- storey, 4-window. To left is C19 double shop front with double glazed doors, to No 3. To right is double C19 shop front with bay windows and C20 door with keystone to lintel flanked by Tuscan columns, to right is elliptical-arched cart entry with keystone and imposts. Deep eaves to hipped roof. To rear of No 3 is 2- storey brick wing with tiled roof. Interior not inspected.

Currently occupied by Anyas Country Kitchens.

5 High Street

A grade II listed building, upgraded from grade III. Listed as a pair with 3 High Street. See 3 High Street for listing description.

Currently occupied by Downton Pharmacy.

Former Occupiers: Arthur Matthews (Drapers) (1930s); Sydney Ernest Stevens (Drapers) (1953-1964); J R Bowskill (Chemists - Telephone Downton 20388) (1970s).

Additional source: Letter from Ralph Matthews printed in Downton Parish News (October 2007)).

7 High Street (Poppy Cottage and Appletree Cottage)

A grade II listed building, upgraded from grade III.

Listing description: Two cottages, now one shop. Early C18, outshuts added c1800, C20 alterations. Flemish bond brick, hipped thatched roof, brick stack to roof. 2-storey, 4-window. Two C20 doors with C20 canopies and three C20 bow windows to ground floor. First floor has four 2-light leaded casements. Left cottage has diaper patterns in vitrified headers, cottage to right has 3-brick plat band at first floor level. Rear has C20 casements and two eyebrow dormers. Interior has chamfered beams with runout or ogee stops, left cottage has open fireplace with chamfered lintel on brick jambs, planked doors.

The following outbuilding is also a grade II listed building in its own right:

Barn in garden to rear of 7 High Street
Listing description: Small barn. Early C18. Square-panelled timber-frame with brick nogging, half-hipped tiled roof. Doorways on east side and south gable. Interior has timber-framed partition, rebuilt roof.

Former occupiers: Morley, Hewitt, Fox & Sons (later Fox & Sons) (Estate Agents).

In the 1970s Fox & Sons telephone number was Downton 20449.

- Here is the junction with Church Hatch -

9 High Street (The Kings Arms)

A grade II listed building, upgraded from grade III.

Listing description: Inn. C15 timber- framed ranges with original roof, refacing of south front mid C18, west front refaced late C18. Timber-frame faced in Flemish bond brick, hipped tiled roof with brick stacks. L-plan, through passage. 2-storey, 7-window. To right is chamfered, Tudor-arched door surround with tiled canopy, one 6- pane sash to right, to left are five 6- pane sashes and one blind window; all segmental-headed. First floor has six 6-pane sashes and one blind window. Ground floor brick has scratched date: WL 1746. Left return has central 6- panelled door with flat wooden hood on brackets, to right is segmental-headed tripartite sash, to left are inserted double planked doors. First floor has two 6-pane sashes and one blind window. To left of door is brick with scratched date: MD 1765. To rear are two projecting wings, right one with half-hipped roof. Central range has two planked doors, two 2-light casements to first floor. Wing to left has 2-light and 3-light casements to ground floor and half-dormer to attic, verandah with slate roof. Attached to rear left is single-storey extension with 2-light casements and slate roof. Interior has chamfered ceiling beams in east range, some surviving timber- framing on ground floor to east wall and first floors to west and north walls. Roof trusses have cambered tie- beams with pairs of 'V' struts to collars.

Landlord George Batchelor was a founder member of Downton Brass Band in 1889. He had previously been landlord of The New Inn (see entry under The Wooden Spoon). He died of a heart attack at Bodenham in 1891, whilst driving his cart home from Salisbury, leaving his widow Jane to run The Arms. Three of their sons, Ernest, Frederick and Francis would die during World War One – a fourth, Arthur, survived.

The pub was formerly owned by the Gibbs Mew Brewery.

The end rooms of the building, facing towards The Old Tannery, were the village Reading Rooms in the 19th Century and were later used as an office by Clarke, Lush and Co (Coal and Coke Merchants) during the 1960s.

In 1964 the telephone number of the Clarke, Lush and Co office was Downton 442. They kept their stores of fuel at Downton Railway Station (see separate entry under The Sidings).

Former occupiers: George Batchelor; Jane Batchelor; Gilbert W Haines (1930s- 1950s); E E Gray (1964 - Telephone Downton 446); R Bright (1960s-1970s - Telephone Downton 446).

11 High Street

Formerly 86 High Street.

A grade II listed building - listed as a pair with 13 High Street.

Listing description: Pair of cottages in row. Early C15 roof, rebuilt in present form mid C19. Header bond brick, tiled roof, brick axial stack and gable-end stacks. 7-bay roof. 2- storey, 6-window. Two 4-panelled doors with tiled canopies, central round- arched entry with planked door, two 2- light and two 3-light casements. First floor has four 4-light and two single casements. Dentilled eaves. Rear has 2-light casements. RCHM records 7-bay C15 roof; eastern pair of bays over former open hall with smoke-blackened arch-braced truss. Closed truss with raking queen struts to collar divides 5 smoke-blackened bays from 2 bays with clean roof timbers. Chamfered beams to ceiling of ground floor.

Former occupiers: Mrs E Deverell (1920s-1950s); Frederick Rooke (1960s).

13 High Street

Formerly known as Inverness.

A grade II listed building - listed as a pair with 11 High Street. See 11 High Street for listing description.

Former occupiers: John Reeves (Licensed Maltster); Walter Hill (1930s- 1950s); Harry Elliott (1960s-1970s).

15 High Street (The Warren)

A grade II listed building.

Listing description: House, now hotel, at end of row. C15 roof over late C18 rebuilding. Flemish bond brick, tiled roofs, brick stacks. 5-bay C15 roof, now 2-span roof. 2-storey, 6-window. Central C20 door, up steps, in moulded case with flat wooden hood, to either side are two plate-glass sashes. First floor has six plate-glass sashes; all flush and in moulded architraves. Dentilled eaves. Right return has tile- hung front gable with 2-light casements, rear gable has French windows and one 12-pane sash. Rear 2- storey wings with plate-glass sashes with hoodmoulds. Interior has 5-bay roof over two former open halls, each of 2 bays and separated by one bay. Fine roof over former western hall has moulded arch-braced collar truss, 2 tiers of chamfered purlins with curved wind braces. Plainer roof over former eastern hall has chamfered arch-braced collar truss, but no wind bracing. Closed trusses with wattle and daub panels. No smoke-blackening; C17 axial brick stack may replace timber-framed chimney. Ceilings inserted in C16 to eastern hall. Internal fittings mostly early C19; moulded ceiling cornice and panelled doors.

The Warren was formerly used as a vicarage and is said to have once had an underground passage to the church. It was occupied by American troops during World War Two.

Former occupiers: Mrs Lavinia Carver; Major E W J Hobkirk (1930s); Mr Hughes- Davis (1960s); Mr Barker (1970s).

17 High Street (The Wooden Spoon)

Formerly known as The New Inn and, briefly, The Downton Inn.

A grade II listed building.

Listing description: Inn. Late C18. Flemish bond brick, tiled roof with half-hip to left, brick stacks. 2-span roof. 2-storey, 3-window. Central 6- panelled door in classical porch with Tuscan columns, either side is one 12- pane sash with flat arches. First floor has three 9-pane sashes. Dentilled eaves. To right is cart entry with double wooden doors. Left return has one 2-light leaded casement to first floor. Rear has 2-storey wings, the right gable has light timber-framing exposed in attic. 20- pane sashes and 2-light leaded casement to first floor. Interior not inspected.

Mr Bush was landlord of The New Inn in 1817. He was also a newsman. He had a two-horse caravan and bugle and traveled regularly to Southampton by way of Christchurch and Lymington. People waited along the roadside to hear his news, particularly that of the war with France.

See entry under The Kings Arms for more information on former landlord George Batchelor.

During World War II officers from an anti-aircraft battery at Barford Down were billeted at The New Inn.

The pub was formerly owned by Strongs Brewery.

Former occupiers: Mr Bush; George Batchelor; Albert William Randall (1900s-1952); Harry Elliott (Telephone Downton 223) (1952-1960); Mr Greig (1960s).

19 High Street (Harebell Cottage)

Fornerly 93 High Street.

A grade II listed building.

Listing description: Cottage in row. C18. Rendered timber-frame, thatched roof with brick stack to right. One storey and attic, 2 windows. Central planked door, 16-pane sash to either side. Two gabled dormers with 2-light casements. Rear has cross wing with 2- light casement and tiled roof. Interior not accessible at time of survey (December 1984).

Former occupiers: Walter Durdle (shoemaker – he was also a Church sexton and the last engineer of the old Downton Fire Brigade); Mrs Snook (1930s-1960s).

21 High Street (April Cottage)

A grade II listed building.

Listing description: Pair of cottages, now one cottage in row. C17, C18 rebuilding of front. Painted Flemish bond brick, thatched roof with brick stack to left. One storey and attic, 3 windows. C20 door to right, two 12- pane sashes and one 2-light casement, blocked door to left; segmental-headed openings. 2-brick plat band to first floor of left part. Three 2-light casements to eyebrow dormers. Sun Insurance disc over front door. Rear wall has some exposed timber-framing. Interior has timber-framed partition, chamfered beam with runout stops, C18 open fireplace with reused chamfered lintel. Roof has some reused smoke- blackened timbers.

Former occupiers: George Hayter (1930s); Mrs Hayter (1950s); Mrs L Hounslow (1960s).

23 High Street

A grade II listed building - listed as a pair with 25 High Street.

Listing description: House and shop in row. Early C18. English bond brick, tiled roof, brick stack. 2-storey, 4- window. C20 shop front to left, 4- panelled door with canopy on cast-iron brackets and two 16-pane sashes to No 25. Dentilled plat band to first floor; four 12-pane sashes. Rear has C20 casements to No 25 and 2-light wooden casements to No 23. Interior not inspected.

Former occupiers: Geoffrey Coffin (1958-1961).

25 High Street (Hale Newsagents)

A grade II listed building - listed as a pair with 23 High Street.

Former occupiers: A Hatcher (1950s); Mullens and Hall (1960s-1970s).

27 High Street

A grade II listed building - listed as a pair with 29 High Street.

Listing description: Pair of houses at end of row, late C19. Flemish bond brick, with some timber-framing to first floor, tiled roof, brick stacks. L-plan, on corner. One storey and attic, 3 windows. 4-panelled doors, to No 27 in recessed porch to left, No 29 has door on curved corner; header bond brick, 3-light square bay window to left, 3-light casement to right of door to No 27, 2-light casement on corner. First floor has two gabled half dormers with 3-light casements and one small 2-light casement, 3- light casement on corner, which is jettied over recessed ground floor. Right return has two 3-light casements to ground floor and to first floor half dormers. Curved tiled roof to corner, groups of diagonally-set brick stacks with toothed capping. Rear has planked door and 2-light casements to ground floor and to half dormers. Interior not inspected. Included for good composition on corner site, at junction of High Street and Barford Lane.

Former occupiers: A Hatcher (1950s).

29 High Street

A grade II listed building - listed as a pair with 27 High Street. See 27 High Street for listing description.

Former occupiers: Mrs Lydford (1930s- 1950s).

SOUTH SIDE (from Tannery Bridge)

Waterside Mill

Part of a grade II listed building.

Listing description: Corn mill, later power station and now semi-detached house. C18, converted to power station by Southern Tannery Co. in 1929, closed 1973. English and Flemish bond brick, tiled roof with half-hip to right. 3-storey, 3-window. Ground floor has two 3-light segmental-headed casements, C20 door to first floor entrance up steps, to right is 4-light segmental-headed casement, second floor has two 3-light and one 2-light casement. Dentilled eaves cornice. Hipped dormer with 3-light casement to roof. Right return has blocked door and planked door to ground floor, 3- light casement to first floor, 2-light to second floor and attic. Rear has C20 door and 4-light casements to first floor, and four 2-light and one 3-light casement to second floor. Interior not inspected.

The bishop of Winchester owned seven mills in Downton in 1086. Those remaining here were originally used as a grist mill, paper mill and corn mill. The old grist mill was closed in 1920 but re-opened in 1935 as a hydro- electric generating station, operated by the Downton Electric Light Co Ltd and subsequently taken over by the British Electricity Authority (1950s) and then the Central Electricity Generating Board (1960s). The generating station eventually closed in 1973.

The old paper mill was owned in 1781 by Joseph Jellyman and in 1843 by William Stradling. From 1885 to 1890 it was owned by Wiggin, Teape, Carter and Barlow and then by Mark Palmer and Son, the last paper manufacturing firm in Downton, who ceased trading in 1919.

Former Occupiers: Stephen G Horner (1960s).

Corn Mill

See Waterside Mill.

East Mill

See Waterside Mill.

The Island

There is an area of land behind the mills, that is said to have possibly once been the site of a Saxon palace or villa.

- Here is the junction with Waterside -

6 High Street (Chapel Cottage)

This house was constructed on the site of a now demolished chapel. A group broke away from the Wesleyan Methodist chapel in 1849 (see separate entry under 20 and 20A Lode Hill) and opened their own New Wesleyan Reformed Chapel here between 1851 and 1864. The chapel was still open in 1900 but appears to have closed a few years later.

It was later used as a youth club, operated by Mr and Mrs Holgate and known as ‘The Be Bop’. The legendary Johnny Holgate and The Woodworms played here, as did The Riverside Skiffle Group who went electric and became The Aces. These bands then provided members for the most celebrated band in the Downton area - The Satellites.

Tannery House

The original Tannery House was on the opposite side of the road, where the former Tannery building itself now stands (see separate entry under 1-19 The Old Tannery).

This property was briefly as an alternative health centre in the early 21st century.

Former occupiers: Michael Richardson (1953-1964); Mr Lunt.

The Old Stables

10 High Street

A grade II listed building.

Listing description: Shop in row. Mid C18. Painted Flemish bond brick, tiled roof, brick stacks. 2-storey, 2- window. C20 shop front to ground floor, first floor has two flush plate glass sashes. Brick rusticated quoins. Interior not inspected. Included primarily for group value with No 12.

Currently occupied by Butlers Fish and Chip shop.

Former occupiers: Oswald J Coppock and Sons (Ironmongers, Wireless and Television (1935-1953) (Telephone number Downton 59 in 1953); W Lamont (Ironmonger) (1964).

1 and 2 Avon Cottage

Two flats that were formerly part of 10 High Street and are therefore a grade II listed building. See 10 High Street for listing description.

12 High Street

A grade II listed building.

Listing description: House in row. Mid- C18. Painted header bond brick, tiled roof, gable-end brick stacks. Symmetrical 2-storey, 5-window front. Central door with 6 fielded panels and fanlight, in arched case with brick quoins and keystone, up stone steps with cast-iron railings. Either side are two plate-glass sashes with fluted keystones. First floor has five plate- glass sashes, the centre in an eared brick surround with cornice. Moulded brick cornice. Three gabled dormers with 2-light casements. Rear has casements to ground floor, central door, first floor has canted bay window to left and two 4-pane sashes, all in late C18 outshut with twin hipped roof. Attached to rear left is 2-storey service wing with planked- door and 3-light casement. Interior has C18 newel stairs with turned balusters, ovolo and ogee moulded door architraves, eared wooden fireplace surround.

14 High Street

Formerly known as The Laurels and Church House.

A grade II listed building.

Listing description: House in row. Early C18 to late C18. Mathematical tiles to front in 'header bond', tiled roof, brick stack to right. 2-storey, 3-window front. 6-panelled door in beaded case with flat wooden hood on brackets to right of centre, 2-storey canted bay with 16-pane sashes to right, to left are two 12-pane sashes to ground and first floors. Rear outshut with two gables and one hip to roof; 2-light casements and 12-pane sash, planked door. Interior has through-passage with two blind elliptical arches to right wall, mid- C18 fireplace with moulded mantel and frieze with leaf spray, late C18 stairs with C19 Gothic-style dog-gate at top.

The house was left to St Laurence’s Church in 1914 by Elizabeth Baily Hooper, to be used as ‘a residence for a female Lay Reader of the Church of England for the benefit of Downton’. It had been named The Laurels but following the bequest was renamed Church House. It remained in the ownership of the Church until 1955.

During World War One the house was used to accommodate the Deflours, a family of Belgian refugees.

Former occupiers: Elizabeth Baily Hooper; M Deflour (1914-1916); Miss K Fulford (1935); Miss Pearson (1935); Miss Reason (1953); 'Tibby ' Perry (1950s).

16 High Street (Mace – Downton Village Stores)

In 2008 the shop was destroyed by a fire, phone footage of which has since appeared on YouTube.

Former occupiers: Woodford & Co (Grocers and Provisions) (1920s); International Stores (1960s); Bailey and Son (Grocers and Provisions - Telephone Downton 21172) (1970s); Spar.

18 High Street (Ravenswood)

A grade II listed building, upgraded from grade III.

Listing description: Late C18. House at end of row. Painted English bond brick, tiled roof with brick stack to right. L-plan. 2-storey, 3-window. 6- panelled door to left of centre has pediment on Tuscan columns, to either side is plate-glass sash in moulded architrave. First floor has three plate-glass sashes in moulded architraves. Toothed brick eaves cornice. Right return is windowless. Rear has late C19 extension to left with 2-light casements, to right is extension with sashes to ground and first floors. Interior not inspected.

Part of the building was previously used as a grocers shop.

Former occupiers: Mrs M Parker (1964).

20 High Street (Downton Methodist Church)

Members of the congregation from the Wesleyan Chapel on Lode Hill (see separate entry under 20 and 20A Lode Hill) were apparently meeting in two cottages on this site from 1884. The cottages were owned by the headmaster of the British School and on his death he left them to the Wesleyan Methodists.

A new chapel was built here in 1896, replacing the Lode Hill chapel as the main centre of Wesleyan Methodist worship in Downton. After the closure of the New Wesleyan Reformed chapel (see separate entry under 6 High Street) and an amalgamation with local Primitive Methodists in 1932 the new chapel became the United Free Methodist Church.

22 High Street (Stanley Villas)

24 High Street (Stanley Villas)

26 High Street

28 High Street (Trevenna)

Former occupiers: Bertram Smith; Edwin G Cosens (1935); Albert Kemp (1964).

30 High Street (Downton Post Office)

Former occupiers: Eastman’s Wicker Repository; Albert Kemp (Stationer and Post Office) (1953); Esmond Kemp (Stationer and Post Office) (1964).

32 High Street

A grade II listed building, upgraded from Grade III. Listed as a pair with 34 High Street.

Listing description: House and shop at end of row. Early C17, C18 refacing of front. Painted irregular Flemish bond brick, tiled roof, brick stacks. 2- storey, 4-window. C20 door with pediment on pilasters, 16-pane sash to either side, C20 shop front to right. First floor has three 9-pane sashes and one pair of 9-pane sashes to right. Dentilled eaves. Attached to right is late C18 extension with C20 bow window and pair of 9-pane sashes to first floor. Right return is windowless. Rear not accessible. Interior said to have chamfered beams and exposed chamfered joists, open fireplace with chamfered lintel. Early C17 timber-framing, faced with brick in C18.

Formerly Arthur C Chipperfield’s grocers shop (1953).

34 High Street (Chipperfields)

A grade II listed building - listed as a pair with 32 High Street. See 32 High Street for listing description.

36 High Street

A grade II listed building - listed as a group with 38, 40, 42 and 44 High Street.

Listing description: Row of five cottages. Late C18. Flemish bond brick, tiled roof, brick stacks. 2- storey, 11-window. 4-panelled door to each cottage, 4-pane sashes in moulded flush architraves. 3-brick plat band has middle course of vitrified bricks. Eleven 4-pane sashes to first floor. Dentilled eaves. Six gables dormers to roof with 2-light casements. Left return is windowless, half-hipped gable. Rear has some lateral brick stacks, C20 windows and small extensions. Interior not inspected.

38 High Street

A grade II listed building - listed as a group with 36, 40, 42 and 44 High Street. See 36 High Street for listing description.

40 High Street

A grade II listed building - listed as a group with 36, 38, 42 and 44 High Street. See 36 High Street for listing description.

42 High Street

A grade II listed building - listed as a group with 36, 38, 40 and 44 High Street. See 36 High Street for listing description.

44 High Street

A grade II listed building - listed as a group with 36, 38, 40 and 42 High Street. See 36 High Street for listing description.

Former occupiers: Theobald Plaskett (1930s-1960s).