Clavering Place, Friar House

This building was listed Grade II in 1987 with the following description:
'House, now offices. Circa 1780. Brick, rough-rendered with left quoins; right return gable peak tumbled-in; Welsh slate roof; 2 brick chimneys on central front ridge; later right end chimney with ashlar string and cornice. 2 storeys, 5 bays, the central wider. Central double door, with over-and side-lights, in flat Tuscan doorcase with prominent cornice. Projecting stone sills to ground floor sashes, the upper parts late C19, the lower renewed; first floor sashes with glazing bars; floor and sill band. Modillioned eaves cornice.' {1}.
The building originally had a formal garden to the rear and a series of smaller beds to the front. The construction of the railway in the 1850s marked a change in the area from high status domestic occupation to trade and industry. In 1859 the house had been partially demolished and much of the rear garden replaced with a large rectangular building possibly a warehouse. By 1871 the property had become a small manufacturing outlet. Shortly afterwards the building was bought by R Robinsons & Co Printers and stationery manufacturer who held the building until 1961 when it was sold to Alfred Bell Ltd.. The name Friar House is a modern invention. In 2012 The Archaeological Practice Ltd maintained a watching brief during groundworks for the conversion of the building to a hotel and further building recording during internal works (the building was originally recorded in 2008 and assessed in 2011 by Archaeo-Environment Ltd.). During these works it was found that the house was built upon the foundations of an earlier building, constructed in sandstone. LISTED GRADE 2