Number 15 Friarn Street dates to about 1700, an elegant Queen Anne period residence, which predates the houses of Castle Street. Take special notice of the fine shell hood over the door, similar to that on the Unitarian Chapel on Dampiet Street. Number 15 pre-dates the two properties to its left, which are both of the Georgian period.
During the Parliamentarian Storm of Bridgwater in 1645 this part of Friarn Street, which had been prosperous in the preceding ages, was largely burnt to the ground. At the bottom of the gardens of these houses were earth ramparts behind the Durleigh Brook, which connected to the re-fortified medieval gate. After the wars this area was rebuilt, hence we seen fine houses in the form of this one, Ivy House and the Quaker Meeting House. The oldest property nearby is the old Rose and Crown on the corner of Friarn and St Mary Street.
Number 15 Friarn Street is also notable for once being the residence of Tom King, Baron King of Bridgwater, while he was Member of Parliament for the town. A member of the Conservative Party, he served in Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet from 1983 to 1992. He was served for short periods as Environment Secretary, then Transport Secretary, Employment Secretary and then Northern Ireland Secretary. It has been remarked that the short periods in each office reflected his ability to achieve his objectives diligently, efficiently and without fuss.