1. THE CASTLE
Not a house, just a site. See Lidgate Castle.
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2. HALL FARM
Probably developed from the medieval house that succeeded the residence at the castle.
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3. THE OLD FORGE
This was a village smithy for over a hundred years since around 1840. The smithy has long gone, but its mounting block can still be seen in the grass verge. The last village Post Office was located here.
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4. STREET FARM
There is evidence of an earlier Hall House from which this wing developed. It was probably the home of a wealthy merchant.
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5. THE OLD STORES
This was one of the 2 stores in the village (the other was St Alice). It was probably part of the Suffolk House complex.
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6. SUFFOLK HOUSE
This dates from 16th century and like Street Farm there is evidence of an earlier Hall House. This too was probably the home of a wealthy merchant.
It has associations with John de Lydgate, but the present house would have been built after his death. The stepped gable end shows Flemish influence and there are still traces of the original orange coloured paint that would have covered the bricks. The house is just up the road from Street Farm and it was perhaps a case of ‘keeping up with the Jones's' in the latest style. The house may have belonged to a wealthy merchant. Why this and other quite high status houses should have been built in a village that was in decline for many years is something of a mystery.
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7. THE VILLAGE HALL
This was originally the village school. Built in 1835, it was later extended and acquired a brick shell. It is now used for village social events and activities.
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8. PUMP HOUSE
This as the site of the village garage for over 80 years, which closed at the turn of the 20th Century. Here, the “ Lidgate Bicycle” was made by Reuben Jolly.
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9. THE STAR INN.
Another 16th century dwelling. Built at the time of the Spanish Armada, it is a late example of a Hall House. The bar is situated in what was the open hall. It was a “Beer Hous ” in the 19th Century when it acquired its name, “The Star”. The Star is now a well known pub/restaurant and attracts clients from far and wide.
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10. PIPPIN PARK
Opposite The Star is the entrance to Pippin Park Farm. The original house and buildings located near the road were burnt down in 1835 by a young labourer , George Pulham , who was the last man to be hanged in Bury gaol for arson. See People.
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11. PINE TREE COTTAGE
It looks like a modern house, but inside it contains a half-timbered medieval Hall House. Pictured here as it is today and as it was in the 1920's.
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12. PITTS TERRACE
The left hand cottage once housed the village butcher and sausage maker.
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13. CHERRY TREE COTTAGE
Adjoining this and Chapel Cottage once stood a thriving Congregational Chapel.
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14. ALWYN
This was the village Reading Room which provided a social centre for the many clubs in the village.
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15. THE OLD BAKERY
This has, at its core, a medieval hall house with features difficult to interpret. The wing on the left is a later addition. It forms a group with neighbouring Well Yard and Fern Cottage.
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16. THE OLD RECTORY
This was built in 1842 on the site of an earlier rectory. The old tithe barn alongside Bury Lane is the last remainder of that estate.
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17. OAK HOUSE
This was an inn up to the beginning of the 20th Century.
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18. THE OLD POST OFFICE
The original cottage was burned down in 1908, but the on-site dwellings were the Post Office from the start of the Penny Post in Queen Victoria's reign until 1960.
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