Greyfriars House and Garden

Greyfriars was built c.1490 by a wealthy merchant and was a home to wealthy families until the late 17th century. In 1699 a baker purchased the lease and divided the house into two. It then became a mixture of homes, shops and businesses for the next 200 years. Trade varied and included leather goods, hats, bread and umbrellas, and for a brief time it housed a kiddlywink called the Old Oak Tavern. Over the years, extensions have been added and its interior altered to accommodate the many families and individuals who've resided here. In the early 19th century, ten cottages were constructed in the back garden. By the 1930s, however, fortunes had declined and Greyfriars was faced with demolition. Fortunately, the house was rescued and carefully restored in the mid-20th century by a handful of dedicated individuals, most notably by siblings Elsie and Malcolm Matley Moore. The care of Greyfriars was transferred to the National Trust in 1966. Join us on a guided tour to discover the story behind this late-medieval survivor.