IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Fishpool Street, ST. ALBANS, AL3 4RZ

Nos. 142-148. C17 houses of 2 storeys, plastered with steeply pitched tiled roofs. Grade II listed.

Grade II* Listed former 17th century Manor House with considerable alterations in the 18th and 19th centuries. An Elizabethan plaster ceiling inscribed IG 1586 suggest the incorporation of an earlier building. In Edith's Streets blog it is claimed the original house here was built in 1585 by John Gape a tanner on medieval foundations which can be traced back to the 11th century. However A History of the County of Hertford: Volume 2. Originally published in 1908 Informs us John Gape who was mayor of St. Albans in 1564, 1572 and 1579 may have built it in 1568 that is carved on some of the oak ceilings of the house. (1568 is possibly a unintended transposition of 1586). This house probably built about 1668 was occupied by the Gape family descendants up until it was purchased by the current owners. It was converted into a hotel in the early 1960s by the Newling Ward family.

No. 166. C16 timber framed house. 2 storeys, 2 windows. Plastered, with traces of pargetting on ground floor. High pitched, tiled roof with visible rafter ends. Overhanging 1st floor supported on old arches braces. Grade II listed.

Once the main road from London to the north west, following the diversion of the former Watling Street up Holywell Hill and then down to St Michaels in the 9th or 10th century. Following the building of Verulam Road by Thomas Telford in 1826, it lost this status but still served as the road out towards Hemel Hempstead, and when road numbers were introduced in 1922 it former part of the A414 Hemel Hempstead to Chelmsford road. This role in turn ceased in the 1950s or so following the link from Batchwood Drive to Bluehouse Hill and the transfer of that number to Catherine Street, and Fishpool Street is now a quiet back road. This is the bottom end of the road, as it approaches its junction with St Michael's Street. Most of the houses in this view are grade II listed, with one grade II* listed. In particular Manor Garden House (on the left, with the white front) - 17th century, grade II* listed - see www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1103113. No 137 (the brick faced house beyond) - late 18th century but with earlier origins, see www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1347151. On the right: Nos 156 and 158 (white fronted): part of a group of 17th century timber framed buildings - see www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1103147. No 160 (brick with ornate door): late 18th century front to 17th century building - see www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1347131. Nos 162 and 164 (brick): 19th century but of earlier origins - see www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1172909. Nos 166 and 168 (with overhanging first floor): 16th century - see www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1103148. The next few buildings up to no 174, but not visible here in detail, are grade II listed, with the remainder locally listed, until: In the distance is the Black Lion, an inn dating from around 1700 - see www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1172914.

The Black Lion Inn dates from the 1700s and is at the bottom end of Fishpool Street. It is a 16 bedroom hotel, complete with restaurant and bar. Its website is here http://www.theblacklioninn.com/index.htm

The North side of the street at the Western end. The second house from the left was the Unicorn public house.

A long-established street with some pubs, and a former pub on the left.

One of several former pubs in Fishpool Street. This one still displays its name and sign.