LISTED BUILDING · NHLE 1255447
Townsend House and Attached Walls
Townsend House and Attached Walls, Leominster
House. C17 and C18. English bond brick; stucco; plaster; hipped Welsh slate roof; various brick stacks; large brick and stone buttress stack to rear of wing.
Dates and uses reflect the source records and may not describe the building today.
No photograph currently published
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, Townsend House and Attached Walls
1 of 6, 17th century and 18th 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.
- Townsend House, Green Lane, Leominster
- Townsend House, Leominster
17th century and 18th century
ConstructionBuilding construction
Estimated date recorded by the current NHLE building entry.
SourceNational Heritage List for England, NHLE 1255447
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
- House with attached garden walls; separate stable recorded as garage in1934
Principal record; ancillary or mixed uses explicitly separated in text
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255447
Applies to the named part and historical phase. A recorded use may no longer continue today.
Documented phases
- NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Building phases and source differences; not a single construction date
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255447
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part and historical phase. A recorded use may no longer continue today.
External wall material
- English bond brick
house
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255447
Applies to the named part and historical phase. A recorded use may no longer continue today.
- Brick
garden walls
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255447
Applies to the named part and historical phase. A recorded use may no longer continue today.
Cladding / finishes
- Stucco; plaster
house elevations
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255447
Applies to the named part and historical phase. A recorded use may no longer continue today.
Roof covering
- Welsh slate
hipped roof
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255447
Applies to the named part and historical phase. A recorded use may no longer continue today.
Chimneys
- Brick
house stacks
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255447
Applies to the named part and historical phase. A recorded use may no longer continue today.
- Brick and stone
rear wing buttress stack
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255447
Applies to the named part and historical phase. A recorded use may no longer continue today.
Other materials / details
- Ashlar stone
porch
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255447
Applies to the named part and historical phase. A recorded use may no longer continue today.
- Wood
leaded window mullions/transoms and cornice
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255447
Applies to the named part and historical phase. A recorded use may no longer continue today.
- Rubble stone
garden wall bases
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255447
Applies to the named part and historical phase. A recorded use may no longer continue today.
Architectural features
- Sash windows; Jetty; Ashlar porch; Semicircular arch; Enriched frieze; Figured pilasters; Blocked opening; Cross window; Mullion and transom windows; Leaded lights; Flat door hood; Storey band; Garden walls
Only the named features in their NHLE-described elevations, openings and interior; retain every source qualifier
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255447
Applies to the named part and historical phase. A recorded use may no longer continue today.
- Moulded ceiling beams; Panelled doors; Panelling; Staircase; Moulded plaster panel; Dresser; Fireplace surround
House interiors recorded1934; moved/refix ed panels retain source wording
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Recorded in 1934; its survival today has not been confirmed.
- Ionic pilasters; Gadrooned archivolt; Disc ornaments
Projecting porch recorded1934; NHLE dates/terminology differ
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Royal Commission inventory, 1934, Leominster monument 6 p 116
Recorded in 1934; the date of the porch remains unresolved.
Historical context
- Preserve source dating conflict for porch; no silent resolution. RCHME house framing historical and distinct from early 18th century separate stable. Destroyed possible west cross-wing not extant.
RCHME described subject/component; neighbouring, demolished and displaced fabric excluded from principal facets
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Provides historical context and does not necessarily describe the principal building.
Structural system
- Timber frame
Main house walls recorded1934, distinct from separate stable
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century.
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Recorded in 1934; its survival today has not been confirmed.
Research notes and uncertainties
Source, component and current-use restrictions: Preserve source dating conflict for porch; no silent resolution. RCHME house framing historical and distinct from early 18th century separate stable. Destroyed possible west cross-wing not extant. Current use/survival is not established as of September2026; source-date statements remain dated.
NHLE 17th century/18th century, 19th century alterations and porch; walls 18th century/19th century. RCHME house early 16th century, additions c1604, late 18th century/early 19th century refacing, porch early 17th century. Explicit building phases, with alternatives preserved. Do not turn date alternatives into independently proven phases or use administrative/use dates as fabric. Preserve source dating conflict for porch; no silent resolution. RCHME house framing historical and distinct from early 18th century separate stable. Destroyed possible west cross-wing not extant.
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 1255447.
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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Townsend House and Attached Walls
Grade II · NHLE C17/C18, C19 alterations and porch; walls C18/C19. RCHME house early C16, additions c1604, late C18/early C19 refacing, porch early C17. · SO4959 GREEN LANE 808-1/1/145 No.15 24/07/54 Townsend House and attached walls (Formerly Listed as: GREEN LANE No.15 Townsend House)
House. C17 and C18. English bond brick; stucco; plaster; hipped Welsh slate roof; various brick stacks; large brick and stone buttress stack to rear of wing.
Current survey photographs
No public survey photograph is currently linked to this place.
Contribute a photographDocumentary evidence
Historic England; RCHME: Herefordshire: 116 (6
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 (6), p. 116.
a (6). Townsend House, and stable, on the S. side of Green Lane, 610 yards W. of the church. The House is of two storeys; the walls are mainly of brick and timber-framing and the roofs are slate-covered. The house was built early in the 16th century and consists of a hall-block with a long cross-wing at the E. end. About 1604 the two projections N. of the hall were added and other alterations made. Late in the 18th or early in the 19th century the exterior was much altered and the N.W. projection from the hall-block partly re-built. There was perhaps a W. cross-wing which has been destroyed. The N. front of the hallblock has a large early 17th-century window of five transomed lights with moulded frame and mullions. The early 17th-century projecting porch, further E., has a round outer archway (now blocked) with moulded imposts and gadrooned archivolt; it is flanked by enriched Ionic pilasters with busts below the capitals and standing on pedestals; the entablature is enriched, and in the spandrels of the arch are raised disc-ornaments. The N.W. projection has, on the ground floor, a window similar to that in the main block but of three transomed lights with moulded wood frame and mullions. At the N.W. angle of the cross-wing is a timber post and curved bracket supporting the upper storey which projects at the N. end. In the S. front is an original window, similar to that on the N. front but of four lights. Inside the building, the ground floor of the hall-block, formerly one apartment, has original moulded ceiling-beams forming fifteen panels and with remains of moulded plasterwork in some of the panels; in the inserted walls are two early 17th-century panelled doors; there is also an early 18th-century dresser. In the cross-wing the N. room has original moulded ceiling-beams; the walls have early 18th-century panelling, and there is a moulded surround, to the fireplace, of the same date. The staircase-hall has a dado of early 17th-century panelling; the stairs are of the 18th century. On the N. partition-wall is a moulded plaster panel (Plate 72) with the central device of a crowned heart; on the beam above are the initials IHS and the date 1604. The S. room is lined with early 17th-century panelling with an 18th-century cornice and other fittings of the latter date. The first floor of the cross-wing has some refixed early 17th-century panelling and two doors of the same date. The N. room has 18th-century panelling, and on the W. side is a moulded wall-post with a shaped head.
The Stable, now a garage, 66 yards E. of the house, is a timber-framed building of early 18th-century date.
Condition—Good.
Referenced illustrations
Official list description
Original NHLE location reference
SO4959 GREEN LANE 808-1/1/145 No.15 24/07/54 Townsend House and attached walls (Formerly Listed as: GREEN LANE No.15 Townsend House)
LEOMINSTER SO4959 GREEN LANE 808-1/1/145 No.15 24/07/54 Townsend House and attached walls (Formerly Listed as: GREEN LANE No.15 Townsend House) GV II House. C17 and C18. English bond brick; stucco; plaster; hipped Welsh slate roof; various brick stacks; large brick and stone buttress stack to rear of wing. L-shaped on plan. EXTERIOR: North front (to street): 2 storeys; single-window range: C19 tripartite window with 2/2: 6/6: 2/2 sashes; two C19 6/6 sashes to ground floor, under jetty. Right returned side: 6/6 and small 2/2 sliding sashes, in stucco to 1st floor. Recessed wing to right has 2 advanced bays; to left, 6/6 sash over C19 ashlar porch with semicircular arch under enriched frieze on pilasters with figures; blocked C18(?) with inserted cross-window with leaded lights; to right, 6/6 sash over C18(?) moulded wood mullion and transom window with leaded lights; central C19 eight/eight sash flanked by wood mullion window with leaded lights, over large mullion and transom window with leaded lights, under moulded wood cornice. Left returned side: 6-panel door under flat hood, flanked by 6/6 sashes; gable over; buttress stack. Right returned side: C18 brickwork with storey band. Rear: three 6/6 sashes and blocked opening, to 1st floor. INTERIOR not inspected. SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: attached garden walls, of C18 and C19 brick on rubble base, extend for approx 150m to east and for approx 50m to west of street front. (RCHME: Herefordshire: 116 (6)). Listing NGR: SO4928359144
Sources and further reading
Open questions
- What evidence can establish the sequence and date of the building’s principal alterations?
- Can a current photograph be added to record the public elevations and visible historic fabric?
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