A significant piece of Gloucester’s architectural heritage has been revitalised. The timber-framed merchant’s house at 26 Westgate Street, dating back to the late 16th century, has undergone restoration. Recognised as the largest surviving historic timber-framed townhouse in England, it has been listed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register since 2012.
Historically, during the medieval period, the building fronted the main market area on Westgate Street and was known as ‘the mercery’ due to its concentration of cloth merchants. Today, it houses the Gloucester Antiques Centre, welcoming visitors to its rich past.
This restoration preserves a vital link to Gloucester’s mercantile history and offers the public a tangible connection to the city’s architectural legacy.
