18 Highcross Street "Chettelles Howse" or Wygston's House

Wygston's House or 18 Highcross Street was built for Roger Wygston, a 15th century merchant. He was the uncle of the better-known William Wygeston, who was Mayor of Leicester and also of Calais. This property is known to have been in the possession of Richard Chettle 1557 & Ralph Chettle in the 1580's - 90's. It is also known that Ralph Chettle rented 18 Highcross Street out to the Topp family. It was with a William Topp in 1708 the central part of the building is the original Tudor part. Later it had a Georgian House built to the front and a Victorian part added to the rear.

The property was due for demolition in the 1970's but was re-discovered by the Leicester City Council and reprieved. It was then made into a costume museum (that I visited many times as a boy). The house is no longer used as a museum but is leased by the organisation The Diversity Hub, a worthy charity, details can be found here: www.diversityhub.org.uk

We are very fortunate that the House still exists and that we have walked where our ancestors walked 450 years ago! Not many people can say that!!

The Chettle's visit to "Chettelles Howse" December 12th 2008