Lower Fold Farmhouse And Lower Fold Farm Cottage

Lower Fold Farmhouse and Lower Fold Farm Cottage are a timber-framed farmhouse, probably of the 17th century, which was later encased in 18th and 19th century brick. A cottage, constructed of hammer-dressed stone, has a lintel inscribed "TAI 1710". The roofs are covered in graduated stone slates.

The farmhouse has a 3-unit, 2-storey plan, with a later lean-to addition at the rear. A Cottage projects as a 2-unit baffle-entry crosswing to the left. The farmhouse is characterised by three equal gables, with window and door openings featuring stone lintels and sills likely dating to the 19th century. Ridge and gable chimney stacks are present. The timber frame is visible externally in the right gable-end, where a jowled post supports a tie-beam roof truss.

The Cottage projects, and the original door, with an ogee-moulded timber frame and dated lintel, is located within the angle, and is now blocked. A later door was added to the gable, which also has a fire window on the left and a small arched light at first-floor level. Windows to the left are later, but the rear retains a 2-light double-chamfered mullion window.

Inside the farmhouse, the central room against the rear wall features a splat-baluster staircase with a triple-roll-moulded oak handrail of unusual quality. The ovolo-moulded newel post has an acorn finial. Chamfered ceiling beams with stepped stops are supported on principal posts, which are visible only from within the room. In the Cottage, an inglenook fireplace features an ovolo-moulded heck post and a deep bressumer beam with similar moulding.