Building record MCC192 - 55 & 56 North Hill (Cock & Pye Inn), Colchester

Summary

Late 15th or early 16th century Inn.

Location

Grid reference TL 99387 25324 (point)
Map sheet TL92NE
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

RCHME survey of the Cock and Pye Inn (55 and 56 North Hill). The house is half H shaped plan with wings extending towards the W. The NW wing is probably of 15th or early 16th century date with a 17th century extension on the W. The SW wing, extending to the street, was built late in the 16th century. The rest of the building was rebuilt and the whole refronted in the 18th century. The upper storey projects on the N side of the original NW wing and on part of the N side of the SW wing; on the first floor of the latter is the moulded sill of a projecting 16th century window with two shaped brackets. <1>

DOE survey of No's 55 & 56 North Hill (The Old Cock & Pye Inn) . Grade II. C16 and C17 wings at the rear, refronted in the C18. Original plan half H shaped, 2 storeys, attics and cellars, the roofs tiled. The C18 front block is of red brick with parapet, stucco band below between the storeys, 7 window range of double hung sashes with glazing bars. No 56 (3 window range) has a stuccoed front, modern ground floor shop window and another modern shop window fills the old cart entrance. No 55 has a flight of steps to the front door with one handrail. The north-west wing has been restored and the timber-framing exposed with some original window openings; the upper storey projects on the north side.<2>

Structural survey was of No 56 North Hill, formerly the Cock & Pie. The building was found to consist of a late medieval wing, seventeenth century wing and Georgian front range.<3>

Photograph's showing the partial demolition to the rear of 56 North Hill, the 'Cock & Pye' in 1970-71. Some of the internal timbering is exposed. <4>

A watching brief was maintained during ground work undertaken at the rear of the 'Cock and Pie', North Hill. The trenches were up to four metres deep because of the depth of made ground above the natural. In the north-west corner of the site, below the corner of No. 56, a wall foundation was uncovered. This was approximately 40 cm below ground level, running north-south. Other features included destruction debris, a robber trench, an almost complete medieval pot found by workmen and a brick cellar.<5>

Sources/Archives (5)

  • <1> Monograph: Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. 1922. Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England): Essex, (North-East). Volume III. No 73.
  • <2> LIST: Department of the Environment. 1971. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: Borough of Colchester (Essex). TL9925 SW 4/180.
  • <3> Article in serial: Shackle, Richard. 1990. The Cock and Pie. Colchester Archaeological Group Bulletin Vol. 33, pp.9-36.
  • <4> Photograph: Unknown. Alterations to the 'Cock & Pye' 56 North Hill. B/W Prints.
  • <5> Unpublished document: Colchester Archaeological Trust Ltd. 1985-1995. Colchester Archaeological Trust Unpublished Archive. 9/90a.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (4)

Record last edited

Jan 23 2017 12:51PM

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