High Wycombe Conservation Area appraisal consultation

Houses along Totteridge Avenue, Totteridge Road and Gordon Road were developed in the late nineteenth century in response to the expanding population due to the arrival of the railway and the success of the furniture industry. The Gordon Arms pub was also built in this late nineteenth century phase of development and is an attractive building with distinctive detailing such as the double height bow window, standing at a prominent junction.

This expansion also includes some early twentieth century shops and the impressive viaduct. Two small early twentieth century furniture factories, one of which may still be in use, are included to the rear of the houses fronting onto Totteridge Avenue and Gordon Road. These furniture factories are a particularly significant survivals of the furniture making heritage in High Wycombe where many factories have been lost to development.

There is a relatively high level of inappropriate alterations on the terraced houses along Gordon Road, and on the grander semi-detached villas which principally include the introduction of uPVC windows, inappropriate doors and conversion of front gardens to driveways.

However, these roads contain attractive buildings of varying scales which reflect both the requirement for smaller scale workers’ houses and public houses due to the high increase in population and the prosperity the town experienced with a high number of larger semi-detached villas.

Gordon Road