The Red House

Red House was probably built in the mid to late 18th century, and was presumably named after the bright red brick front. It stood on the site of M&S and so was prominently visible opposite St Thomas's Road.

The earliest traceable owner was Cornelius Butler, who lived there in 1851, this important surgeon left the house shortly after that and was replaced by Robert Growse, a doctor. His only son was born there in 1855. His wife died in childbirth in 1857, and he remarried a lady called Maria a few years later but had no children with his second wife - Robert died at age 41 in 1870. There is a memorial window dedicated to him in St Thomas's church.

Maria Growse continued to live in the house with her step son, who himself trained to become a doctor.

By the 1890s the house was owned by Col. Frank Landon, a wealthy solicitor. He seems to have gained the rank Colonel in the volunteer forces.

Frank Landon sold the house in the 1920s and around this time it was remodelled, with the front being rebuilt in a more modern style. It was then used as shops until it was demolished in about 1971 by Woolworths.