| Description | 164 Westgate, Wakefield. Mid 18th century house with alterations
'Tall early mid C18 house with alterations. 3 storeys, three windows. Very high pitched swept roof of clay tiles with end chimneys, the right rebuilt. Now stuccoed with incised lines. Later sash windows in near flush box frames; segmental arches on lst floor. Ground floor, rebuilt in early mid C19, has one wide and one narrow elliptical gauged brick arch, with keystones, holding shop window and door. At right a round arch over yard entrances'
(English Heritage listed building description. Date listed 01/02/1979. http://list.english heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1258911. Web site accessed 11/12/2013).
164 Westgate was the subject of an archaeological assessment by Elizabeth Chamberlin (WYAAS) in 2012. The photographic images produced by the assessment are held by WYAAS (Chamberlin, E. (WYAAS). 2012). The field work report is summarised below:
No.164 was formerly a public house known as the 'Brewer's Arms' or Brewer's Court'. In the later 20th century, the property was also used as a trade centre. The building dates form the 18th century and retains some nice examples of 18th and 19th century windows and glazing. The window to the last bay of the wing to the rear of no.164 contains glass retaining glazer's purity marks.
The building is three stories and retains a number of existing staircases within the building. The building also has a number of historic chimney breast and fireplaces as well as timber stud walling in the attic storey of the west frontage. There is a large barrel vaulted beer cellar which fronts onto Westgate and this probably formerly had a barrel roll from Westgate (there are two blocked openings visible in the cellar beneath the frontage).
In 1851 the yard to the rear was known as 'Perkins Yard' as marked on the OS 1851 town plan (1:1056. Sheet 7). Wakefield was formerly made up of just three main streets with many yards and side streets. Since there are only a handful left, 'Perkins Yard' is also of interest. The range stretching behind no.164 has developed in phases and the two phases at the end were probably formerly separate houses.
Kelly's trade directory of 1892 states that no.164 was in possession of George Cooling who was a beer retailer.
(Chamberlin, E. (WYAAS). 2012. 'Wakefield. 164 Westgate').
The photographic images depict a number of historical features from within the building. These include:
King post truss (pegged jointed) with raking struts which join form the post to the principal rafters in roof of street range. Below the tie beam close studding forming a wall. The purlins are trenched and butt the principal rafter
King post truss with raking struts which connect the tie beam to principal rafters in rear wing
Closed truss with collar in rear wing
Possible wall plates in rear wing and main range
Ovolo moulded window bars in small pnaed windows in an early 18th century style
Dog leg stair case with moulded banister rail in an early 18th century style.
Timber framing features may be contemporary and have a parallel development with the adjacent no.162 Westgate which has confirmed 16th century features (see PRN 13052). Range has the appearance of an early post medieval timber framed building and rear wing with 18th century modifications. |