NHER 20690 (Building record) - 34 King Street

June 1972. Listed Grade II.

September 1984. Field Observation.
Examined by E. James (King's Lynn Museum).
Listed as 19th century, but report notes mid-17th-century panelling surviving in corners apparently original to first two-room house. Much more 18th-century panelling and other fittings. Extensive alterations about 1800 with new façade, and later in 19th century including rear extension. Painted scenes in front room on panelling dated 1869.
See report (S1) for further details.
Complied by E. Rose, 2 October 1984. Information from record card (S2).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 20 July 2023.

Listing (S3) maintains the early 19th century date but does not describe the interior.
E. Rose (NLA), 11 March 1999.

September 2000. Building Survey.
Revised description by [1] notes that the lower part of the façade is in fact early 18th century, heightened with new openings in early 19th century.
Survey by E. Rose (NLA) confirms [1]'s analysis; in addition; north wall of No. 32 now exposed in south wall of No. 34. The owner suggests that this house stands on the line of what was an alleyway continuing the line of Ferry Lane opposite to the east. The odd angle of No. 34 to No. 36 on the north does suggest it has been inserted, assuming it post-dates No. 36.
See report (S4) for further information.
E. Rose (NLA), 25 September 2000. Amended by A. Cattermole (King's Lynn UAD), 22 November 2018.

July 2006. Field Observation.
Further visit by E. Rose (NLA) - see annotations to report in file.
E. Rose (NLA), July 2006.

In 1996 owner [2] removed the skirting board at the base of the south wall of the rear ground floor room, thus exposing more of the north wall of the adjacent No 32 as described above. There is a large recess or offset at the centre of the room. In the base of the wall bricks were visible, some apparently of 19th-century date, others seemed early post-medieval. [2] had pointed a camera up the void between the panelling and the wall and recorded what he believed to be a Norman arch. To the present writer, the photograph appeared to show brickwork...but the photograph was very poor. The skirting boards are to be refixed so as to be easily removable. The floor of this room, which was stated to have been a modern replacement, has now itself been replaced by a damp proof membrane lapped over the base of the panelling.
Owner reported that in 1985 when work was being done on the south wall of the front room, by the fireplace, 'bones' fell out but were discarded.
Compiled by E. Rose (NLA), July 2006. Information from record notes (S5).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 20 July 2023.

Listing Description excerpt:
"House. Early 19th century. Brown brick with slate roof. Three storeys in two bays. Panelled door to left with plain fanlight and arched timber doorcase. Sash to right and two to first floor are horned plate-glass types under gauged skewback arches. Second-floor windows early 19th-century with glazing bars. Gabled roof with internal gable-end stack to south."
Information from (S3).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S3) for the full current listing details.
P. Watkins (HES), 20 July 2023.