A large key above the High Street and Halifax Building Society office in Tewkesbury from overhanging 16th century eaves
Key House at No. 9 the High Street, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, UK takes its name from the large 19th century key hanging on the front. The building dates from the early 16th century, but it was heightened about a century later, around 1610. The building is distinctive due to its two nodding gables. Today the premises is occupied by the Halifax Building Society Bank, though it used to be a traditional hardware shop called Miles and Carter. Tewkesbury a Gloucestershire town, England locates at the confluence of the River Severn and the River Avon, and also minor tributaries the Swilgate and Carrant Brook. Tewkesbury comes from Theoc, the name of a Saxon who founded a hermitage there in the 7th century, thus in Old English was called Theocsbury. An erroneous derivation from Theotokos enjoyed currency in the monastic period of the town's history. The medieval street plan with its many alleyways, courtyards and small sidestreets is virtually unchanged from its original layout and a high proportion of fine half timbered buildings still remain. Abbey terrace in Church Street is of particular note. The town is built around three main streets High Street, Barton Street and Church Street. The other roads such as Oldbury Road and East street are of lesser interest to the visitor interested in the architecture of the town having been created and built on only after the enclosure of the common land known as the Oldbury after 1860. It's also worth looking up as you walk along the main streets look up especially at the building rooves. Often the frontage is of a very different age to the roof indicating that the building was refronted to the latest fashion
Size: 4000px × 6000px
Location: Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England, UK
Photo credit: © Philip Chapman / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: balanced, building, eaves, gables, gold, golden, halifax, high, key, mediaeval, medieval, overhang, roof, society, supported, tewkesbury, theoc, timber, timberframed
