Church Street, Chesham, in the rain

Image: © Stefan Czapski Taken: 17 Mar 2013

Looking uphill from the old National School (now St Mary's parish hall). The house with the gable and timber framing is nos. 54-56, and is reckoned to date from the 14th century: http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-43514-54-and-56-church-street-chesham-buckingha This was once a shopping street, and no. 54 still has its old shop windows - and so does the house nearest the camera. The more substantial Georgian house furthest from the camera is probably the only one in the picture to be built of brick throughout. From Pevsner ('The Buildings of England: Buckinghamshire') and the listing texts it is clear that most of the cottages along Church Street are timber framed, of 17th century origin or earlier. If many now 'look' 18th century, it is because it was in that century that brick frontages were added. http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-43510-46-and-48-church-street-chesham-buckingha Further evidence of the early origins of Church Street can be found 'on plan', with yards (accessible through arches or passageways) opening out behind the properties which face the street. In medieval times such yards would be lined with smaller premises - residential or commercial. Old Bells Court, just across the road from where I took this picture, still has something of that character.

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