Shakespear House incorporating no. 41, 43, 45 and The Old Tailors,
Location/Address
High Street
North Marston
Type
Description
Large former shop and apartments above. Now divided into 4(?) homes.Within the conservation area.
Statement of Significance
Asset type
Former shop with living over, now 4 separate dwellingsAge
Built in 1882 by Henry John HoldenArchitectural and Artistic Interest
Original U shape footprint with small return extension on open side. Wooden double doors on front elevation leading to inner courtyard. Large shop windows to front. On the left hand external wall, , you’ll see that neatly etched into the brickwork are the initials of Henry Holden, his wife Matilda and nine children, as they were when Shakespeare House was built in 1882. (North Marston History Club)Group Value
4 houses appear to make up the original buildingHistoric Interest
Was the family home, workshop and draper’s shop for Henry Holden from where he operated a successful tailoring business, drawing numerous tailors and their families to the village to work for him. Holden’s was a very important part of the village economy for decades. In addition to being a major village employer, Holden was also churchwarden for forty years and an exemplary fund-raiser on behalf of the church. Holden was a businessman who became very wealthy through hard work and prudence, despite having left school at only ten years of age. A game that was once played by men leaving the pub was to flick pennies to see if they could get coins to rest on top of the decorated frieze that circles the building. (North Marston History Club)Landmark Status
The building is large and impressive and can be seen from the very top of the high street due to its dominant positioning in the centre island.Images and Documents
Date Listed
n/a
Last Updated
02 Nov 2023