Boswell Mews, High Street

Boswell Mews, High Street
LL ref:	411
Start date:	C18
Architect:	unknown
Builder:	unknown
Original use:	Yard & outbuildings
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The Mews yard was owned for 200 years up to the end of the twentieth century by the Pocock family, who occupied Boswell House, 22 High Street and Stafford House, 24 High Street. The coach house and barn presumably functioned as outbuildings to these premises.

Tucked behind the main frontage, intrinsic in nature to the historic form and development of the Old Town core Boswell Mews is a yard with a narrow access from the High Street containing three buildings:

1. The Coach House, 1 Boswell Mews. Brick construction, two floors, upper floor within the pitched clay tiled roof structure. Hayloft type door at upper floor level.
2. The Barn, 2 Boswell Mews. Single storey with slate pitched roof and dormer. Also with hayloft type door at upper level.
3. Outbuilding, former abattoir. Inside, are two long beams which still retain the meat hooks. Also of interest is the shape of the beam on the left hand side which is round and, looks as though it might originally have been a ships mast. Unlike the other two buildings, this falls within the curtilage of Boswell House and so already enjoys protection through the Listing of the house itself.

The Mews is part cobbled and part brick surfaced.

This small space behind the High Street frontage is typical of a traditional village heart and important to the character of the Old Town. The retained brick, flint cobble, tile, slate and wood finishes all contribute to its value to the conservation area.

Justifications for local listing are its history, group value and contribution to the Old Town Conservation Area.

Nominated by the Bexhill Old Town Preservation Society

Gallery

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  Coach House
• 
  Former abattoir
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  Supporting beam possibly made from a ships mast
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  Original meat hooks