31 High Street March 2010

31 High Street does not look particularly remarkable from the outside, but appearances can be deceptive. It was listed by the former Department of Environment in August 1983 as Grade II, of special interest. The department dated the house to the 17th century. It is built of colourwashed roughcast and has a 20th century tiled roof. The house comprises two storeys.

The Rating and Valuation Act 1925 specified that every building and piece of land in the country should be assessed to determine their rateable value. Wyboston was assessed in 1927 and the valuer visiting 31 High Street [DV1/C165/26] found in owned by A. King, but vacant.

The house stood in just under a quarter of an acre and comprised a parlour, living room, kitchen and scullery downstairs with three bedrooms above. Outside stood an "old barn, partly pulled down". The valuer commented: "Could be made an attractive looking place. Looks as if [it] was a pub. Very little garden". There is no evidence for 31 High Street having been a public house but there were a number of unidentified beerhouses in Wyboston in the 19th century and perhaps the house was one of these.