Then & Now

Tantara Gatehouse Etching – Then & Now

This then & now comparison shows an etching of the Tantara Gatehouse, one of the largest surviving fragments of the old Abbey of St Mary, Kenilworth, matched as closely as possible to its modern day vantage point in June 2021. A more precisely matched ‘now’ vantage point can’t quite be achieved, as a large yew… Read More Tantara Gatehouse Etching – Then & Now

Then & Now

The High Street – Then & Now

This Then & Now scene of the High Street looks familiar to the modern eye. Mercifully spared the modernisations inflicted upon Warwick Road and elsewhere, the High Street retains its old world charm. Still there are one or two alterations evident between the two scenes worth noting. Firstly though, we might be able to determine… Read More The High Street – Then & Now

Then & Now

St Nicholas’ Churchyard – Then & Now

This undated image of St Nicholas’ Churchyard, was provided to KHAS from the collection of the late Reg Palmer. It shows the path running down from the High Street from the north-west towards the Norman west door of St Nicholas’ Church, which was rescued from the Abbey and inserted into the church’s tower by Robert… Read More St Nicholas’ Churchyard – Then & Now

Then & Now

The Stone House Courtyard – Then & Now

This image of the Stone House’s courtyard, was provided to KHAS from the collection of the late Reg Palmer.  This image pairing shows the courtyard belonging to the grand Stone House on the High Street, to the west of the main house itself.  The house itself has large grounds to the rear, including a tennis… Read More The Stone House Courtyard – Then & Now

Then & Now

The Stone House – Then & Now

This image of The Stone House, was provided to KHAS from the collection of the late Reg Palmer. This image shows the garden wall and eastern end of The Stone House. This imposing dwelling was Grade II listed as early as June 1949, which is very early indeed for a listing, presumably reflecting the grandiose… Read More The Stone House – Then & Now

Then & Now

50 – 62 High Street – Then & Now

This image of 50 – 62 High Street was provided to KHAS from the collection of the late Reg Palmer.  The ‘then’ image is undated, but presumably taken some time in the nineties or noughties. The ‘now’ image was taken in the autumn of 2018. Little has changed between the two images, save for a… Read More 50 – 62 High Street – Then & Now

Then & Now

Bridge Street from High Street – Then & Now

This image of the junction of High Street, Fieldgate Lane, New Street and Bridge Street was provided to KHAS from the collection of the late Reg Palmer.  The ‘then’ image is undated, but the ‘now’ image was taken in the summer of 2018. At the time the ‘now’ photo was taken, the former Abbotsford School… Read More Bridge Street from High Street – Then & Now

Then & Now

Upper High Street – Then & Now

This image of the upper High Street and its environs was provided to KHAS from the collection of the late Reg Palmer. The ‘then’ image is undated, presumably having been taken some time in the early 2000s, whereas the ‘now’ image dates from Summer 2018. Little has changed between the two images. In the distance… Read More Upper High Street – Then & Now

Then & Now

High Street Aerial View – Then & Now

This Then & Now image is a cropped portion of aerial photo EAW025675 taken from the wonderful Britain From Above website. If you have a moment, I can highly recommend registering for free on the website, because doing so enables you to zoom into their high resolution images to examine details close up. This particular… Read More High Street Aerial View – Then & Now

Then & Now

Old Vicarage & Tithe Barn – High Street

This famous old postcard shows the demolition of the old Old Vicarage, in preparation for the building of the Parochial Hall. The vicar of St Nicholas’ Church, to which the hall belongs, seems to be taking an unusually hands-on approach to the proceedings and is pictured here half way up a ladder surrounded by workmen.… Read More Old Vicarage & Tithe Barn – High Street

Then & Now

High Street Children – Then & Now

This Then & Now pair of photos shows a group of children posing for the camera at the junction of High Street, New Street, Bridge Street and Fieldgate Lane. The group was posed just off the carriageway but thanks to road widening it would not be advisable for children to linger there today! A pair… Read More High Street Children – Then & Now

Then & Now

The Red Lion – Then & Now

This Then & Now pairing shows the High Street in the mid 1960s looking down towards the direction of New Street. The scene is gratifyingly unchanged today, although the red bricked number 44 on the extreme left has been re-fronted since the original photo was taken. Every self respecting English market town should have a… Read More The Red Lion – Then & Now

Then & Now

Fancott’s Bakery – Then & Now

Harry Sunley tells us in A Kenilworth Chronology (Odiborne Press, 1989) that DS Fancott established Fancott’s Bakery in the high street in 1825. It remained in the Fancott family until 1979. The D.S. in question was David Soden Fancott, who became a master baker and a well-established figure in the town. Robin Leach’s excellent book… Read More Fancott’s Bakery – Then & Now

Then & Now

High Street / Castle Hill Cottage – Then & Now

A timber framed cottage at the junction of Malthouse Lane, with High Street in the distance and Castle Hill behind the camera. As Rob Steward explains in Kenilworth History 2001 – 2002, this cottage is “…probably early 17th century and of ‘cruck’ construction. Cruck construction consists of two purpose-grown curved tree branches cut longways down… Read More High Street / Castle Hill Cottage – Then & Now

Then & Now

The Priory, The High Street – Then & Now

The High Street, Kenilworth, looking largely unchanged with the exception of the house on the extreme right hand side. This house, known as The Priory, was the subject of the book ‘A House in the High Street’ by Joyce Powell (Odibourne Press, 1987). The Priory was built in 1770, replacing some older ‘messuages’ of about… Read More The Priory, The High Street – Then & Now

Then & Now

Parochial Hall 1910 – Then & Now

The building of the Parochial Hall, High Street 1910. The foundation stone is laid by Edward Hyde Villiers, Earl of Clarendon. The hall stands on the spot of the earlier tithe barn.

Then & Now

Widow’s Charity Houses – Then & Now

Widow’s Charity Houses, High Street, founded in 1644, rebuilt 1840s. To the right of the ‘then’ photo can be seen a single storey, windowless brick building which was demolished much later providing an alleyway through to the 1960s Elmbank Road, as well as the entry to the slaughterhouse behind the butchers owned by John Bausor.… Read More Widow’s Charity Houses – Then & Now