Windy Bank

This is a house, likely dating to the 16th century with significant additions and alterations in the early 17th century. Inscribed stones indicate Robert Lightowlers built a section in 1611 and John Butterworth another in 1635, but the building incorporates a timber-framed structure potentially from the early 16th century. The building is constructed of hammer-dressed stone with a graduated stone slate roof. It originally had a 3-unit hearth-passage plan with a wing to the rear.

The main elevation has quoins and a projecting plinth, and is four bays wide. A C19 surround frames the doorway in the second bay. The ground floor features 3, 2, 6, and 6-light double-chamfered mullion windows with hoodmoulds; the first floor has similar windows with 3, 3, 6, and 6 lights. The roof has three unequal coped gables topped with finials, along with gargoyles. Ridge and gable chimney stacks are also present. Bay 1 was rebuilt later, with the original timber-framed structure removed during construction rather than being incorporated into the new stonework.

The rear wing, dating to 1611, is older than the main range (1635 and later) and was initially a separate single-cell house before being linked to the main house in the mid-17th century. It features a doorway (now a window) with a 4-centred arch lintel, as well as 2, 3, 4, and 5-light double-chamfered mullion windows with hoodmoulds, a C20 porch, and a C20 lean-to garage that partially obscures a gable chimney stack. A C19 extension partially obscures the rear of the main range.

Internally, the parlour and the room above have arched and moulded fire surrounds with recessed and enriched spandrels. Chamfered beams are present, with stepped stops. Remnants of the original timber-framed structure include two collar and tie-beam roof trusses, diagonally braced to posts, and a king-post roof truss over the hall, which was likely open to the roof. All tie-beams are cambered. The 1611 wing retains a bread oven within a gable stack, a roof truss with diagonal struts, and a boarded door.

The house is notable for its distinctive facade and rare survival of elements from a timber-framed open-hall-house, along with its early single-cell house.