Buckinghamshire Historic Buildings Trust

PICTURE (TOP):
Workers at
Marlow Brewery
around 1900.
  • Built in 1399, was this Wheeler's oldest public house?

Its timber-frame has been dendro-dated to 1399 but we don't know its original function, except that what remains is only part of an originally much larger building. There was an open hall on the top-floor, which may have had some civic function or connection with the market or nearby parish church.

But we do know that High Wycombe had a working pub named The Wheatsheaf in the 17th century, and that this building was a pub run by Wheeler's, the local brewer, until 1903.

RIGHT: The town's earliest secular building,
at 2/3 High Street, High Wycome, today.

BELOW: The Wheatsheaf in a painting of 1772,
with publican William Creed standing
outside puffing his clay pipe.

 

 
 


Now the Historic Buildings Trust has assembled a team of experts to investigate the building, develop plans for its repair and conservation and options for viable and sustainable reuse of all parts of the building. With financial support from the Architectural Heritage Fund and listed-building consent granted, work should start soon.

• Now click here to view
our presentation giving the story of Wycombe's oldest secular building:
The Wheatsheaf Project.
  • Who we are:
  • The Trust has been helping to protect and save historic buildings in the county since 1983. Having taken a 125-year lease in 2017, our current major project is to restore the Grade II listed 2/3 High Street, High Wycombe, the former Wheatsheaf pub and a Wheelers' house until 1903.
  • Built in 1399, this is the oldest secular building in the town.
  • Our activities:
  • Since last year's BLHN Conference we have received funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund, first for a feasibility study and now a grant of £350,000 towards the repair of the building. We have received listed-building consent for alterations with a view to the ground floor being used as a cocktail bar and the upper floors as a community/charitable hub.
  • We are grateful for the support throughout of Wycombe District Council (now Buckinghamshire Council), who are our landlords, and the High Wycombe Society.
  • Opening times and enquiries:
  • For more information about this important – and mysterious – building, our project manager, Dr James Moir, can be contacted by emailing jamesmgmoir@aol.com.
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Thanks to Marian Miller at the Historic Buildings Trust for providing content for this page.