LISTED BUILDING · NHLE 1255405
Grafton House
Grafton House, Leominster
House, now barber's shop. C14(?), with later alterations. Painted brick; timber-frame and plaster; Welsh slate roof, with old plain tiles to rear; brick ridge stack; brick stack to rear.
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.
People and businesses through time
HISTORICAL ADDRESS RECORD
Through time, Grafton House
1 of 3, 14th century
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About these records
2 historical addresses linked to this NHLE entry. Directory entries can describe a workplace or premises use rather than a residence.
- 9 Burgess Street, Leominster
- Grafton House, Burgess Street, Leominster
14th century
ConstructionBuilding construction
Estimated date recorded by the current NHLE building entry.
SourceNational Heritage List for England, NHLE 1255405
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
- Former house with domestic hall; barber shop at NHLE source date
Principal identity with historical and subsidiary uses explicitly separated
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
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
- NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Source-specific phases, not administrative dates
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
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
Historic frame and 19th century/20th century right-return framing
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
External wall material
- Brick
Painted wall components
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Cladding / finishes
- Paint
Brick
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Plaster
Framed walls and jetty coving
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Infill
- Brick
Rear frame
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Roof covering
- Welsh slate
Principal roof
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Plain tile
Old rear covering
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Chimneys
- Brick
Ridge and rear stacks
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Architectural features
- Cusped braces
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
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.
- Casements
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
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.
- Early 18th century sash windows
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
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.
- Underbuilt jetty
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
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.
- Inscribed sills
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
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.
- Plaster-blocked ogee-headed light
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
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.
- Original window or panel interpretation recorded1934
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
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.
- Exposed upper frame with cusped braces; Pale panels; Painted brick lower frontage; Casements and sash windows; Underbuilt jetty; Inscribed sills; Slate-form roof; Brick stacks
Visible principal subject only
Supplied capture date 2026-07-25, not independently authenticated
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Leominster Heritage photograph LH-IMG-000083
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
- Collar-beam roof with arch braces and cusped wind-braces
RCHME1934 two-bay domestic hall, two-centred main arch and cinquefoiled wind-brace pairs
RCHME1934 observation, current survival unverified
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
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.
- Plain collar beams with chamfered rafters and purlins
RCHME1934 roofs at either end of domestic hall
RCHME1934 observation, current survival unverified
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255405
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.
Other materials / details
- 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-000083
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: Domestic hall not assembly room. Ogee opening blocked, not intact light. Current use/survival not independently verified for September2026.
NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing [Source-specific phases, not administrative dates; NHLE 14th century(?), RCHME probablylateC14; 18th century underbuilding suggested; 19th century/20th century repairs and framing] Source chronology, administrative and reused-material dates separated. Domestic hall not assembly room. Ogee opening blocked, not intact light.
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 1255405.
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.
The open questions below identify evidence that has not yet been securely established.
Map location
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Grafton House
Grade II · NHLE C14(?), RCHME probablylateC14; C18 underbuilding suggested; C19/C20 repairs and framing [Source-specific phases, not administrative dates; NHLE C14(?), RCHME probablylateC14; C18 underbuilding suggested; C19/C20 repairs and framing] · SO4959 BURGESS STREET 808-1/1/80 (South side) 24/07/54 Grafton House
House, now barber's shop. C14(?), with later alterations. Painted brick; timber-frame and plaster; Welsh slate roof, with old plain tiles to rear; brick ridge stack; brick stack to rear.
Current survey photographs
Documentary evidence
Historic England; RCHME: Herefordshire: 121 (76), PL
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 (76), p. 121.
a (76). Grafton House (Plate 143), No. 9, W. of (75), was built probably late in the 14th century. The upper storey formerly projected in front but has been under-built; it has exposed framing with cusped braces; a similar brace remains at the back (Plate 143), together with an original window or panel with an ogee head. Inside the building, the middle portion, or hall, of two bays, was originally open to the roof; the central truss is of collar-beam type with curved braces forming a two-centred arch; the wind-braces are cusped, each pair forming a cinque-foiled arch. The framing at the ends of the hall-roof is probably also original. The roofs of the building at either end of the hall have plain collar-beams and chamfered rafters and purlins.
Referenced illustrations
Official list description
Original NHLE location reference
SO4959 BURGESS STREET 808-1/1/80 (South side) 24/07/54 Grafton House
LEOMINSTER SO4959 BURGESS STREET 808-1/1/80 (South side) 24/07/54 Grafton House GV II House, now barber's shop. C14(?), with later alterations. Painted brick; timber-frame and plaster; Welsh slate roof, with old plain tiles to rear; brick ridge stack; brick stack to rear. 2 storeys; 3-window range: C19 2-light casements in moulded architraves, set between panels with cusped braces. Entrance to left: early C20 half-glazed door; 2 early C18 six/six sashes; plaster coving to jetty; "This is Grafton House" inscribed on sills. Right returned side: C19 and C20 timber-framing; suggests C18 under-building of jetty. Rear: timber-frame with brick infill, cusped brace and some C20 repairs; plaster-blocked ogee-headed light. INTERIOR not inspected. (RCHME: Herefordshire: 121 (76), PL.143). Listing NGR: SO4952659092
Sources and further reading
Open questions
- What evidence can establish the sequence and date of the building’s principal alterations?
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