On the other side of the High Street stands the Crown Hotel which was renovated in 1986 and again in 1994 with another `face lift' in 1997. It is timber framed 17th century with 19th century and later additions.
It is featured in many old paintings and photographs of the High Street, one such print shows the Essex Hunt meeting outside in 1910.
Francis House was owned by a Mr E B Francis who also owned Rayleigh Mount which he gave to the National Trust in 1923. Francis House (Lloyds Bank) is early/mid 19th century and of plastered brick construction. A plaque commemorates Mr Francis 1850-1939.
The junction of Crown Hill with the High Street was originally very narrow. There used to be a tea shop on the opposite side to the Crown under the name of Martin Tweed. The shop was demolished to enable widening of the road to take place.
A couple of doors along, now Dorothy Perkins, was occupied by Halfords, before them International Stores were there and before them a family grocers by the name of Gilson (see photograph).
Next door but one the old Westminster Bank built the present office which was occupied by the Leeds Building Society who were later taken over by the Halifax. This office was shut down after a few years and transferred to the main Halifax office further up the High Street. It is now occupied by Bee Insurance Services. Do not miss the plaque mounted on the flank wall adjacent to this building which refers to Arthur T Upson, an Arabic Scholar, who lived on the site of Steven's, the Jewellers.
