LISTED BUILDING · NHLE 1255425
6 Corn Street
6 Corn Street
Shop with dwelling above, constructed during the late-C16 or C17, extended to the rear (south) during the C17 and altered during the C19, when the front range was raised and a new shop front installed.
Dates and uses reflect the source records and may not describe the building today.
Designation information
Inclusion in the National Heritage List for England confirms that this is a designated heritage asset of national special architectural or historic interest.
Historical development
The town of Leominster traces its origins to the establishment of a religious house there during the C7 or earlier. The Saxon settlement endured repeated Viking raids and is recorded as a sizeable town in the Domesday Book (1086), with 27 households. In the early-C12, King Henry I established a Benedictine Priory in the town and granted a foundation charter for the town’s market. The town thrived throughout the later medieval period, despite periodic unrest due to its location in the border region. Leominster wool was prized across Europe and bestowed considerable wealth upon the town. The town centre retains many medieval and early-modern buildings; secular buildings are timber framed while surviving Priory buildings are constructed of local sandstone. The town centre retains an essentially medieval street pattern, with long, narrow burgage plots fronting the north-south spine road of Broad Street-High Street-South Street, and Corn Square (the historic market place) lying to the east of the High Street. The remains of the Priory, dissolved in 1539, lie to the north-east of the town centre. The town remained a prominent local centre into the C18 and C19. During this period, many timber-framed buildings were replaced (or refronted) by brick buildings with Classical elevations. Many houses in the town centre were partially converted to commercial use and equipped with shopfronts during the later-C19 and C20. 6 Corn Street is a timber-framed building constructed during the late-C16 or early-C17. A timber-framed rear range was added probably during the C17. It is believed that the second floor and ground-floor shopfront were added during the mid to late-C19, at which time the principal, north elevation was also rendered. The building was altered again in the early-C20, with the insertion of a timber casement window into an earlier, C19 window frame on the first floor. Further interventions during the C19 or C20 included the insertion of an iron strap and tie bar to the principal, north elevation. The building is currently (2022) in use as a shop with a dwelling above.
People and businesses through time
HISTORICAL ADDRESS RECORD
Through time, 6 Corn Street
1 of 8, Late 16th century or 17th century
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About these records
Directory entries can describe a workplace or premises use rather than a residence.
Late 16th century or 17th century
ConstructionBuilding construction
Estimated date recorded by the current NHLE building entry.
SourceNational Heritage List for England, NHLE 1255425
Estimated construction date drawn from the NHLE list summary.
Architectural evidence and features
These descriptions relate to particular parts of the building at the date of each source. They may not reflect its use or condition today. Unconfirmed features remain open questions.
Evidence reviewed 13 September 2026.
Documented type / function
- Shop with dwelling above, documented2022
Principal identity with historical and subsidiary uses explicitly separated
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Documented phases
- LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Source-specific phases, not administrative dates
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Structural system
- Timber frame
Principal and rear ranges
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Cladding / finishes
- Render
North facade
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Roof covering
- Slate
Roof
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Chimneys
- Brick
Chimney
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Other materials / details
- Timber
Shopfront casement and window surrounds
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Iron
Front tie head and strap
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Plate glass
Shop window
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Timber joinery appearance
Visible painted window/door/shopfront joinery only, not concealed wall frame or species
Supplied capture date 2026-07-25, not independently authenticated
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Leominster Heritage photograph LH-IMG-000089
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Roof structure / details
- Queen and V-strut tie-beam trusses, trenched purlins and diagonal trenched ridgepiece understood
Rear range, source reported interior
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Architectural features
- 19th century shopfront
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Box fascia and cornice
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Console and pilasters
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Angled doorway
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- 20th century casement in possibly earlier frame
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Horizontal sliding sash
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Reported axial beam corner post fireplace and fielded two-panel door
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Jowled rear posts reported
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255425
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Rendered frontage; Shopfront with console at viewer left and door at viewer right; First-floor casement; Upper horizontal sliding sash; Tie plate and surface metal fittings; Surface cracks and staining
Visible principal subject only
Supplied capture date 2026-07-25, not independently authenticated
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Leominster Heritage photograph LH-IMG-000089
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Shopfront door at viewer right, console at viewer left
Photo orientation conflicts NHLE compass account, no raw correction
Supplied capture date 2026-07-25, not independently authenticated
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Leominster Heritage photograph LH-IMG-000089
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Research notes and uncertainties
Component, chronology and current verification: Generic town-history sandstone and priory not subject. Interior understood, not inspected confirmation. Iron repairs not proposed work. Current use/survival not independently verified for September2026.
LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes [Source-specific phases, not administrative dates; LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; 19th century raising rendering and shopfront; 20th century changes] Source chronology, administrative and reused-material dates separated. Generic town-history sandstone and priory not subject. Interior understood, not inspected confirmation. Iron repairs not proposed work.
Explore records with these reviewed features. Results may concern only part of a listed group and retain their source-date qualifications.
How this record is evidenced
The designation, listing date and statutory description are drawn from Historic England, NHLE 1255425.
Current survey photographs dated 25 July 2026 record the publicly visible fabric and features shown on this page.
The building has been cross-referenced to the Royal Commission's 1934 Herefordshire inventory. The full matched extract and its cited illustrations are reproduced below with links to the digitised source.
The concise summary and searchable feature tags have been prepared by Leominster Heritage and are kept separate from the statutory wording.
Map location
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6 Corn Street
Grade II · LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; C19 raising rendering and shopfront; C20 changes [Source-specific phases, not administrative dates; LateC16/earlyC17 front; probablyC17 rear; C19 raising rendering and shopfront; C20 changes] · 6 Corn Street
Shop with dwelling above, constructed during the late-C16 or C17, extended to the rear (south) during the C17 and altered during the C19, when the front range was raised and a new shop front installed.
Current survey photographs
Documentary evidence
Historic England
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
This earlier inventory records the building as it was understood at the time of survey. Its terminology and interpretation should be read alongside the current NHLE entry and present-day observation.
Read the Royal Commission inventory extract
RCHME CROSS-REFERENCE 1
Leominster, monument (119), p. 124.
a (119). House, No. 6, immediately E. of (118), is of three storeys. Some timber-framing is exposed on the W. side at the back.
Referenced illustrations
Official list description
Shop with dwelling above, constructed during the late-C16 or C17, extended to the rear (south) during the C17 and altered during the C19, when the front range was raised and a new shop front installed. MATERIALS: the building is timber-framed, with a rendered principal (north) elevation and a brick chimney stack. The roof covering is slate. PLAN: the building is arranged as two ranges on a rectangular plan running south from Corn Street. The front range onto Corn Street has a one-room plan, while the rear wing is two bays deep. EXTERIOR: the principal, north range is three storeys in height across one bay onto Corn Street under a pitched roof. On the ground floor is a C19, timber shopfront with a box fascia and cornice, a console bracket to the east, plate glass shop window framed by plain pilasters, and an angled doorway containing a glazed, C20 door to the west. On the first floor is a C20, timber casement window within a possibly earlier, moulded timber frame. To the west of the window is the head of an iron tie. On the second floor is a C19, horizontal-sliding sash window with six-by-six glazing. To the west of the window is an iron strap running onto the west elevation. Immediately above the window is a timber fascia board. There is a wing to the rear with timber framing exposed on the second floor of west side. INTERIOR: it is understood that on the first floor of the front range is an unchamfered axial beam, exposed corner post and corner fireplace, while on the second floor there is a fielded, two-panel door, and in the attic above there is a large purlin. It is understood that the rear range contains jowled posts, slightly cambered tie-beam trusses with queen and V-struts morticed to the principal rafters, trenched purlins and a diagonal trenched ridgepiece, along with exposed wall-framing. History The town of Leominster traces its origins to the establishment of a religious house there during the C7 or earlier. The Saxon settlement endured repeated Viking raids and is recorded as a sizeable town in the Domesday Book (1086), with 27 households. In the early-C12, King Henry I established a Benedictine Priory in the town and granted a foundation charter for the town’s market. The town thrived throughout the later medieval period, despite periodic unrest due to its location in the border region. Leominster wool was prized across Europe and bestowed considerable wealth upon the town. The town centre retains many medieval and early-modern buildings; secular buildings are timber framed while surviving Priory buildings are constructed of local sandstone. The town centre retains an essentially medieval street pattern, with long, narrow burgage plots fronting the north-south spine road of Broad Street-High Street-South Street, and Corn Square (the historic market place) lying to the east of the High Street. The remains of the Priory, dissolved in 1539, lie to the north-east of the town centre. The town remained a prominent local centre into the C18 and C19. During this period, many timber-framed buildings were replaced (or refronted) by brick buildings with Classical elevations. Many houses in the town centre were partially converted to commercial use and equipped with shopfronts during the later-C19 and C20. 6 Corn Street is a timber-framed building constructed during the late-C16 or early-C17. A timber-framed rear range was added probably during the C17. It is believed that the second floor and ground-floor shopfront were added during the mid to late-C19, at which time the principal, north elevation was also rendered. The building was altered again in the early-C20, with the insertion of a timber casement window into an earlier, C19 window frame on the first floor. Further interventions during the C19 or C20 included the insertion of an iron strap and tie bar to the principal, north elevation. The building is currently (2022) in use as a shop with a dwelling above.
Sources and further reading
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