The Strand

The buildings around The Strand are almost all historic and date from the 18^th and 19th centuries with various later additions and alterations. The varied roofline and use of dormer windows adds interest to this group of notable historic buildings, many of which retain their original timber sliding sash windows. 

The Queens Head PH is Grade II listed and dates from the early 19^th century with a later extension to left hand side. The central stone doorcase with pediment and carved woman's head are interesting features at ground floor level with recessed 16 pane sliding sashes above with rather heavy rusticated lintels. The row of buildings next to the Queens Head (beyond the 1970s pastiche infills) at No. 25-27 The Strand are also Grade II listed, and were once timber framed but have been now re-fronted in red brick. Remnants of the timber frame have been found at the former Mitre Inn, a 19^th century cider house which has now been converted to offices.

2 Stourbridge Road, in an island in the centre of the Strand, is now the offices of Thomas Horton but was originally built in 1701 as a gentleman's residence known as Cock Hall. In 1723 the building became the town's first workhouse and then a tannery – possibly the reason why this part of the town was once known as Rotten Row. The horse trough in front of the building was recently reinstated to its original position, after several years in Sanders Park.

On the other side of The Strand is a range of listed and unlisted historic buildings dating from the 18^th, 19^th and 20^th centuries, unfortunately let down by the blank frontage to No's 22-24 and poor quality signage to the retail units. The Grade II listed building at No's 6 to 12 The Strand dates from the 18^th century with added Victorian dormers and surviving timber sliding sash windows. The adjacent building at No's 2 to 4 The Strand (now the Strand Centre) is a 20^th century mock classical building, which wraps around the corner into Stratford Road terminating views out of the High Street. Further past The Strand facing onto Birmingham Road is the former Town Museum and the Grade II listed building at No. 28 which is now a dentist's surgery.