19-27 Front Street, Acomb, York

Part 1 of 4 drawings of Front Street, part of Acomb Conservation Area

Acomb lies a couple of miles west of York and it’s the place where I grew up. It is a Domesday village with its own conservation area but being so close to the City of York it tends to be overlooked but not by everyone. This is my contribution to recording some of the architectural interest of this village.

I began this series in January 2020, full of anticiption for the year ahead…and now almost three years later I’m taking stock and attending to loose ends and unfinished business before the New Year 2023 unfolds. In other words, adding the most recent of my streets to this archive.

So here we are in Front Street, looking at a modern red brick building which is at the eastern end on the north side of Front street.

Next along is ‘The Lodge’ (below), 21 Front Street, Acomb. Listed grade 2 , it stands three storeys tall with 3 bays and 5 windows on the second floor.

The link on British Listed Buildings website gives a comprehensive description.

A pair of fine stone gate posts stand between the Lodge and Acomb House.

From British Listed Buildings website, these 18th century painted stone gate piers are also listed as an integral part of Acomb House, 23 front Street.

Next along is Acomb House, grade 2* listed.

Reading York Council’s description of the Conservation Area, there was a discovery of a mosaic pavement behind this building back in the 19th Century – evidence of the site of a Roman Villa. Apparently, some of these mosaic fragments are in the Yorshire Museum – must go and visit one day!

British Listed Buildings have a comprehensive description of the building here. This is an early 18^th century, 3 storey red brick building with painted stone or stucco dressings. There are 2 bays each side of 3-storey one-bay porch. The facade has a Storey Band, which is continued as a cornice around the porch.

Looking above the 1st floor windows, there is a heavy cornice, and a low attic storey (probably a late C18 addition) with a parapet coping above.

To see a glimpse of the interior, British History Online website has a couple of photos here.

Moving along to the two story red brick building tucked beside Acomb House, is 25 Front Street, home to Jasmine Beauty, Hair by Zara and The Sandwich Hut.

Now to the last section of this drawing and no’s 27-29 Front Street, home to WR Dunn, Architects, Surveyors and Historic Building Consultants.

Finally, to wrap up this drawing with no 29 which is also occupied by WR Dunn.

At the time of writing (17 Dec 2022) I have a 60cm size limited edition print of this drawing in stock in my Etsy shop. If this has sold by the time of reading, please get in touch as I can order another.

To see the rest of the Acomb street drawings, these are now up on my main website Drawing the Street.

If you are a true Acomb fan and would like to see some different views, please have a look at the wonderful sketches and accomplished drawings by the architectural illustrator Allan T Adams. Fabulous artwork of Acomb and beyond! I particularly love the one of Acomb cattle trough at the end of Croftway; it will always remind me of Dad who wrote to the Council suggesting they planted flowers in it and they did 🙂

Thanks for reading and wishing you all the warmth of the season!

Ronnie 🙂