Farmbuildings To North Of Mitford Steads Farmhouse

MITFORD MITFORD STEADS NZ 18 SE 4/38 Farmbuildings to 20.10.69 north of Mitford Steads Farmhouse (formerly listed as Farm buildings at Mitford Steads) G.V. II Planned farmbuildings. Late C18 foldyard group, with watermill and then gingang added in early C19; buildings then extended to east to enclose second foldyard, itself subdivided by later C19 byre range. Squared stone, with large blocks in C18 parts probably re-used from Mitford Castle (q.v.), byre range tooled stone; pantiles on west range, galvanised sheets on barn, asbestos sheets on east range of C18 group, Scottish slates on all C19 parts.

Original western foldyard has barn on north, partly rebuilt in brick, with raised gable copings. East range has 3 doors, the central blocked, and pair of pigsties at south end. West range has 5-bay arcade (partly blocked) with square piers and timber lintels, and stable door in south end.

Eastern yard has shelter shed/granary on north: 2 storeys, 8 bays; arcade of segmental arches (3 now within byre range) with boarded windows over. East range with 2 boarded doors and 5 windows, returning east at south end with boarded door, window and boarded double doors in south wall. Byre range has 5-bay arcade on west with timber lintels on stone corbels, and cart entrance flanked by slit vents on south. All ranges running south have hipped roofs.

Rear elevation of barn shows added watermill to east of cart entrance, containing wheelpit faced with tooled stone. Wheel removed c.1952, mill roofless at time of survey. On north of mill is gingang,originally with 5 piers; one replaced by wooden prop, one missing. Conical roof; tie-beam carries central post with radial struts and collars, 3 levels of purlins.

An unusually extensive complex showing development from a simple foldyard. The juxtaposition of water wheel and gingang, which seem to have both worked a common drive shaft to a thresher in the barn, is a rarity.

Listing NGR: NZ1731984879