Windy Bank

SD 91 NW 1/11 2/1/67

LITTLEBOROUGH BLACKSTONE EDGE OLD ROAD (south side)

Windy Bank (formerly listed as Windy Bank Farmhouse)

G.V. II*

House. "RL 1611" (Robert Lightowlers) and "IBI 1635" (John Butterworth) on inscribed stones but incorporating a timber- framed structure possibly of early C16 origin. Hammer- dressed stone with graduated stone slate roof. 3-unit hearth-passage plan with wing to rear. Quoins and projecting plinth. 4-bay elevation, the door in bay 2 with C19 surround. 3, 2, 6 and 6-light double-chamfered mullion windows with hoodmoulds. 3, 3, 6 and 6-light similar on the first floor. 3 unequal coped gables with finials. Gargoyles. Ridge and gable chimney stacks. Bay 1 was rebuilt at a later date than the rest of the house, the early timber-framed structure having been removed rather than incorporated within the new stonework. The rear wing (1611) predates the stonework of the main range (1635 and later) and was formerly a free-standing single-cell house before being linked to the main range in mid C17. It has a door (now window) with 4-centred arch lintel, various 2, 3, 4 and 5-light double-chamfered mullion windows with hoodmoulds, a C20 porch and a C20 lean-to garage which obscures a gable chimney stack. Rear of main range partly obscured by C19 extension. Interior: arched and moulded fire surrounds to parlour and room above, with recessed and enriched spandrels. Chamfered beams with stepped stops. Remnants of former timber-framed structure include 2 collar and tie-beam roof trusses which are diagonally braced to posts, and a king-post roof truss over the hall which was probably open to the roof. All the tie-beams are cambered. The 1611 wing retains a bread oven within the gable stack, a roof truss with diagonal struts, and an original boarded door. Apart from a distinctive facade the house incorporates several important features including the rare survival of parts of a timber-framed open-hall-house and an early single-cell house. H. Fishwick, History of Rochdale, 1889.

Listing NGR: SD9445716652