Clifton House

Should you have looked to the left of the Two Brewers Inn in the 1950s, rather than looking at a wooden fence as you do today, you would have been confronted by Clifton House, a large Georgian style building standing between the Two Brewers Inn and the Carlton House Club. See Photo 1.

Clifton House was a very imposing property on the High Street. Early details of the building, its purpose and its occupants are difficult to ascertain. In 1891 John Hamp, an Estate Bailiff, and his wife Elizabeth lived in the house, whereas in 1910 the house was owned by Annie Cooper who resided there.

By 1936 Horace Cowley, who owned a significant shoe factory off Yardley Road, had moved into Clifton House with his family. The family still had a presence there in 1951. Photo 2 is of the lounge of Clifton House in the 1950s whilst Photos 3 and 4 are of the rear of the property including the billiard room.

The ODHS is indebted to descendants of the Cowley family for providing the group of photographs of the building.

The property was converted into flats in the 1950s, some of which were leased to American Servicemen stationed at the ‘Chicksands’ base near Bedford.

Later that decade the building developed substantial structural faults, with major cracks clearly visible on the southern face of the property.

Sadly the building was demolished during the mid to late 1960s. The plot now belongs to the Carlton House Club, next door to the left, and performs a useful role as their beer garden. Maybe a different decision would have been taken today, which might have resulted in the building being repaired and restored.

Continue by walking about another 200 metres further towards the Market Place until you are opposite No 9 High Street on the West side of the High street; the final Point of Interest (Number 10).