Higher Hill Farmhouse

This is a large farmhouse dating back to the 17th century, with alterations made in the 19th century. It is constructed of sandstone rubble with quoins, and has a stone slate roof with gable copings and kneelers. The chimneys are prominent, with one on the right where the first and second bays meet, a smaller one behind the ridge between the second and third bays, and another at the front left corner.

The farmhouse follows an "F" plan, featuring a projecting wing to the front of the first bay and a projecting porch between the first and second bays, along with a two-and-a-half-story outshut to the rear. The front presents two gables. The gabled porch has an oversailing upper floor, a segmental-headed moulded doorway framed by dressed blocks and a moulded cornice, a carved datestone surround, a three-light window on the first floor, and a blocked round-headed window in the gable, which also has kneelers.

While some windows have been replaced with 19th-century sash windows, many original windows remain. These originals generally feature hollow-moulded mullions, chamfered surrounds, and hoodmoulds. The wing incorporates a blocked round-headed light and a two-light window at ground floor, another in the attic, a hoodmould to a blocked single-light window in the re-entrant angle, and a two-light window on each floor of the return wall. Blocked attic windows with hoodmoulds are present in the gables of the main range. The rear wall features a king-mullioned window of 3+3 lights, a two-light fire window, and a three-light window on each floor of the first bay.

Inside, the housepart in the second bay has lateral beams with ovolo moulding. The parlour in the first bay has a Tudor-arched stone fireplace with a chamfered surround and now incorporates the original stone staircase, which has quarter-turn treads to the left and right. The right-hand tread is supported on a moulded stone corbel, while the left-hand tread passes a restored single-seat garderobe.

The farmhouse was historically the home of the Walmsley family, who acquired the Ryal estate in 1660. The building shares significant architectural similarities with Ryal farmhouse. A complete garderobe is located at first floor level on the return wall of the wing, and a stone on the right gable wall is lettered "RW" (likely referring to Ralph Walmsley).