A fire in December 1583 destroyed most of the town to the east of the Weaver. What we see now in the town centre is for the most part the rebuild after the fire. Elizabeth I contributed funds and made an England-wide appeal for support which then received funds from many successful medieval towns. The rebuilding occurred rapidly and followed the plan of the destroyed town. Beam Street was so renamed to reflect the fact that timber to rebuild the town was transported along it.
The town centre is now a Conservation Area. Conservation areas are designated in order to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of that area because of its special architectural and historic interest – in other words, the features that make it special.
Information generated by the Society helped significantly in the designation of the first Conservation Area for the town in 2006 and subsequently in the revision of the Conservation Area in 2012.
It extended from Malbank School on Welsh Row in the west to Churche’s Mansion in the east, and from Manor Road school in the north almost to Brine Leas school in the south. The 2012 revision added a large area extending from Market Street to Coronation Gardens and a couple of infill areas at Pall Mall/Grocotts Row and the corner area behind the wall at the Waterlode/Pillory Street roundabout. More recently the Walled Garden behind Welsh Row was also added.
Enjoy a tour of our lively gallery of the town’s conservation area