LISTED BUILDING · NHLE 1270300
The Chequers Inn
The Chequers Inn
Inn constructed in the late C16 or early C17, extended in the C17 and C19. Further minor alterations and additions were made in the C20 and C21.
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 marketplace) 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. The Chequers Inn was constructed in the late C16 or early C17. It may have been built as a house or an inn, it has been trading as the Chequers Inn or Public House since at least 1843. A timber-framed rear wing was added to the north in the C17, which contains original moulded timber finishes internally. By the 1870s, further brick-built extensions had been added to the north. Also by this time, the front (south) elevation had been roughcast rendered and timber casement windows had been inserted on each floor. The building was further altered in the late C19 or early C20 when the roughcast was removed to reveal the timber frame underneath, and a brick outshut was added to the Etnam Street elevation. During the mid-C20, the building adjoining to the west was demolished, leaving the west gable end wall of the inn exposed. Sometime after 2003, a single-storey, brick and timber extension was added to the west elevation and a low brick boundary wall was built across the entrance to the garden area to the west of the inn.
People and businesses through time
HISTORICAL ADDRESS RECORD
Through time, The Chequers Inn
1 of 12, Late 16th century or early 17th century
Drag, swipe or use the arrow keys to select a date.
About these records
4 historical addresses linked to this NHLE entry. Directory entries can describe a workplace or premises use rather than a residence.
- 61 Etnam Street, Leominster
- Chequers Inn
- Chequers P.H., Etnam Street, Leominster
- Chequers, Leominster
Late 16th century or early 17th century
ConstructionBuilding construction
Estimated date recorded by the current NHLE building entry.
SourceNational Heritage List for England, NHLE 1270300
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
- Inn; possible original house or inn; trading as Chequers since at least1843
Principal identity with historical and subsidiary uses explicitly separated
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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
- Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Source-specific phases, not administrative dates
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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 south range and 17th century north cross-wing
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Infill
- Plaster
Timber-framed ranges
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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
19th century north and 20th century/21st century west and south extensions
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Concrete block
One detached 20th century north outbuilding
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Brick
Other 20th century north outbuilding
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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 extensions
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Render
Rendered cills of 19th century south outshut bay windows, not removed historic roughcast
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Roof covering
- Plain tile
Principal and rear pitched roofs
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Slate
South outshut
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Chimneys
- Brick
Tall 20th century stack on north slope of front range
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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
- Iron
20th century south outshut balustrade and lettering
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Timber
Sash and casement windows
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Architectural features
- L-shaped plan
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
- Jettied south gable
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
- Close studding at south gable
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
- Square-panel framing at west gable and north wing
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
- Curved west brace
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
- Stop-moulded bressumer
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
- Moulded enriched bargeboards of uncertain originality
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
- Central gable pendant
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
- South outshut bay windows
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
- Sash windows
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
- Casement windows
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
- Hipped 17th century wing
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
- 21st century half-timbered conservatory
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
- North catslide outshut
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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 moulded ceiling beams recorded1934
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
- Cupboard door with cocks-head hinges recorded1934
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
- Ornamental stair newel recorded1934
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
- Rear-wing 17th century moulded-batten doors recorded1934
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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 timber frame and white panels; Projecting gable; Close studding; Curved brace; Enriched bargeboards; Plain-tile-form roof; Brick chimney; Painted brick front outshut; Bay sash windows; Casement windows; Ornamental ironwork and CHEQUERS lettering
Visible principal subject only
Supplied capture date 2026-07-26, not independently authenticated
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Leominster Heritage photograph LH-IMG-000122
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- CHEQUERS lettering on ornamental ironwork
20th century south-outshut roof balustrade, not proof accessible balcony
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270300
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.
Research notes and uncertainties
Component, chronology and current verification: Sandstone and Priory references are town-history boilerplate. Removed roughcast is historical finish, not surviving positive tag. Current listing says interiors understood, RCHME documents1934 condition only. Plain tile source does not establish clay. Half-timbered conservatory is modern, not original frame. Current use/survival not independently verified for September2026.
Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations [Source-specific phases, not administrative dates; Late 16th century/early 17th century; 17th century wing; 19th century additions; 20th century and post2003 alterations] Source chronology, administrative and reused-material dates separated. Sandstone and Priory references are town-history boilerplate. Removed roughcast is historical finish, not surviving positive tag. Current listing says interiors understood, RCHME documents1934 condition only. Plain tile source does not establish clay. Half-timbered conservatory is modern, not original frame.
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 1270300.
Current survey photographs dated 26 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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The Chequers Inn
Grade II · Late C16/early C17; C17 wing; C19 additions; C20 and post2003 alterations [Source-specific phases, not administrative dates; Late C16/early C17; C17 wing; C19 additions; C20 and post2003 alterations] · The Chequers Inn
Inn constructed in the late C16 or early C17, extended in the C17 and C19. Further minor alterations and additions were made in the C20 and C21.
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 (133), p. 124.
a (133). Chequers Inn, No. 61, 40 yards E. of (132), is of two storeys with attics. It was built late in the 16th or early in the 17th century, and has a projecting timber-framed gable on the S. front with a moulded bressummer; the gable has moulded and enriched barge-boards. The back wing is a 17th-century addition and has exposed framing. Inside the building are some original moulded ceiling-beams and a panelled cupboard door with cock's-head hinges. The staircase retains an original newel with an ornamental terminal. In the back wing are two 17th-century doors of moulded battens.
Referenced illustrations
Official list description
Inn constructed in the late C16 or early C17, extended in the C17 and C19. Further minor alterations and additions were made in the C20 and C21. MATERIALS: the principal, south range and adjoining north wing are of timber-framed construction with plaster infill. The C19 extensions to the north, and the C20 and C21 extensions to the west and south elevations, are of painted brick. The roof covering is plain tile throughout, except for the outshut to the south elevation which is roofed in slate. PLAN: the building has an L-shaped plan, with the oldest range to the south fronting Etnam Street and a series of later additions extending far back to the north along the eastern plot boundary. Immediately to the north of the southernmost wing is a C17 cross wing, beyond which are further C19 and C20 additions. EXTERIOR: the principal, south range is of two storeys plus attic across four bays. The roof form comprises a pitched element with cross wing gable facing Etnam Street, with a hipped element over the later, C17 range to the north. The C19, brick outshut to the ground floor comprises an off-centre entrance within a canted recess flanked by a pair of bay windows and a recessed plank door in the westernmost bay. The main entrance comprises a half-glazed door within a plain surround. The two bay windows each contain a timber sash window with two-over-two glazing and horns with rendered cills to their south face and a two-pane sash with horns and rendered cills to their canted faces. The roof of the outshut carries a low balustrade of ornate C20 ironwork carrying the word ‘CHEQUERS’ in an arch over the doorway. The first floor and jettied gable have exposed timber framing painted black and white. The first floor has irregular framing with a curved brace to the west and carries two C20 timber casements. The gable has close studding, a stop-moulded bressumer and possibly original, moulded and enriched bargeboards with central pendant. The end frame is exposed on the west gable, with square-panelled framing. A tall, C20, brick chimney stack rises from the north slope of the front range. Running north from the original south range is a C17 cross wing, which is slightly taller than the south range but still of two storeys plus attic, under a hipped roof. The west and north elevations have exposed, square-panelled, timber framing. The north elevation carries a ten-over-ten glazed, timber sash window on the first floor and a three-by-three timber casement in the attic. Adjoining the west elevation of the C17 cross wing and the adjoining C19 extension is a single-storey, half-timbered conservatory with a lean-to roof, built in the C21. To the north are a pair of two-storey C19 extensions under pitched roofs with ranges of timber casement windows. The northernmost extension has a single-storey outshut to the north under a plain-tiled, catslide roof. To the north again are a pair of C20, single-storey outbuildings, one constructed of concrete block with a flat roof and the other constructed of brick with a pitched, plain-tiled roof. INTERIOR: The interior is understood to contain moulded ceiling beams and a panelled cupboard door with cock’s head ironwork hinges. The staircase is understood to retain an original newel with an ornamental terminal. Listing NGR: SO4986458949 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 marketplace) 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. The Chequers Inn was constructed in the late C16 or early C17. It may have been built as a house or an inn, it has been trading as the Chequers Inn or Public House since at least 1843. A timber-framed rear wing was added to the north in the C17, which contains original moulded timber finishes internally. By the 1870s, further brick-built extensions had been added to the north. Also by this time, the front (south) elevation had been roughcast rendered and timber casement windows had been inserted on each floor. The building was further altered in the late C19 or early C20 when the roughcast was removed to reveal the timber frame underneath, and a brick outshut was added to the Etnam Street elevation. During the mid-C20, the building adjoining to the west was demolished, leaving the west gable end wall of the inn exposed. Sometime after 2003, a single-storey, brick and timber extension was added to the west elevation and a low brick boundary wall was built across the entrance to the garden area to the west of the inn.
Sources and further reading
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