I do it myself of course when I’m walking along Much Wenlock High Street. The windows of Raynald’s Mansion are just too tempting for those disposed to be nosy. There are always interesting artifacts and pieces of unusual antique furniture inside. The place appears to be some kind of shop, but it is never open. The extraordinary timbered facade, built in 1682, was apparently a later addition to a fifteenth century hall. The Victoria County History for Shropshire rather sniffily suggests that this kind of construction was both crude and ‘old hat’ for a time when everyone who had money was going in for smart townhouse frontages in brick and stone. But never mind the architectural snobbery. It is still one of the town’s most picturesque buildings. There are also said to be ghostly apparitions at these windows. Just the job for Halloween. I must look out for them the next time I’m out and about on the High Street.
copyright 2016 Tish Farrell
Tish Farrell 
What an intriguing building it sounds! Love your Couple, great for this monochrome challenge, Tish
Thank you, Sue.
Given how lovely it is, I’m glad the renovating owner was “old hat”!
Me too!
That’s a great looking facade with a candid shot of a couple. Thanks, Tish.
Thank you, Paula.
How lovely “nosiness” !!
Back in the late 1970’s my sister was nanny to the family which lived in Raynald’s Mansion and I visited a couple of times. Their daughter went on to become a member of a successful classical girl group quartet. I didn’t know about the ghostly apparitions though!
I remember Raynald’s Mansion in the ’70s – probably earlier rather than later. Lucy Raynalds had a very snazzy boutique there for a while. It used to be featured in mags like Vogue.
I’m trying to remember the name of the family but brain is not responding! Will have to ask my sister. The Mansion will have seen many comings and goings . . .
I think it may well have been ‘Raynalds’ at that time. I have the impression the house remained in the family until relatively recently.
Reminds me of an intriguing store in Philadelphia that was never open. Even the neighboring shopkeepers said they didn’t know when it was open. Then one day we walked by and lo and behold, it was open. The owner had an amazing collection of vintage clothes, antiques, and other delicious goodies. BTW, I think the B&W gives the perfect atmosphere.
janet
Thank you, Janet. That’s a nice story. There’s something v. intriguing about shops that don’t open.
That couple is so wonderfully natural you can almost hear the conversation. A great shot, beautifully backgrounded by your words.
I was so pleased to sneak this shot. I was looking out of the book shop window across the street. I loved the woman’s stance.
And to think so many of these facades are hidden behind an ugly plaster frontage! Love your couple – that could be me and OH – we love to have a nosy through a window… 🙂
Ha! Chaps after my own heart 🙂
Interesting image.
Thank you.
Two is so much better than one 🙂 And I love the photo, Tish.
I so agree, Jo 🙂
It’s good to be nosy! One discovers secrets like this interesting building 🙂
To be honest, I wouldn’t trust anyone who could just walk past that building and those windows without taking a peak. Even if I’d done it a dozen times before, I’d still peer inside to look for signs that someone had been there. Nosy or inquisitive. You be the judge. 🙂
I’m with you on this. Nothing wrong with a bit of gentle peeking. How else is one to find things out? 🙂
A shop of mystery! Perfect post for this time of Halloween.