KNOWLE HERITAGE WALK ONE
Knowle High Street
2 – East Side to Oxfam Shop
ROUTE:
Contine along the east side of the High Street to the Oxfam bookshop, but take the small diversion behind Chester House to see the Knot Garden (if locked, lean through the gate).
PLACES OF INTEREST:
5 Kingscote – The 17th century, Grade II listed, timber framed building, is now occupied by Phaze 2, 1683 Chocolate Place and Journey the World. However, before division into three properties, it was a bakery and subsequently the Post Office, which transferred there from the Guild House.
6 No 1671 High Street – Now Bond’s, formerly a bank and before that a high end grocer, Band & Meeks, this Grade II timber framed building dates from the 17th century.
7 Chester House – The oldest building on the High Street, and with a Grade II* listing, this was originally two homes. The southern wing dates from the early1400s, the northern end from the early 1500s. They were joined by what is now the central frontage in the early 1600s.
The name Chester House first appeared in 1881 but its origin is a mystery. It has, over time, been a farm, a carrier business and an antiques shop. It fell into disrepair in the 1960s but was then restored, with strong encouragement from The Knowle Society, for use as a library in 1975.
Whilst at Chester House, stroll down the side passageway to enjoy the award winning reproduction of a traditional Knot Garden, which was opened in 1989.
8 Nos 1659-1661 High Street – The Oxfam bookshop and Ellora restaurant occupy a pair of cottages believed to date from the 16th or 17th century.