Morris Farmhouse

This is a farmhouse, dated 1693 as inscribed on the door lintel. It is constructed of squared sandstone with quoins, and has a stone slate roof. The building follows a two-and-a-half-bay end-baffle-entry plan, featuring a lateral staircase between the main bays. The north-east facade exhibits watershot coursing on a low, chamfered plinth. The doorway has a moulded surround with a segmental head, where the moulding steps up to frame a carved heart. Panelled raised letters “T” and “M” are positioned on either side of the heart, with an “A” above, and a hoodmould runs over the lintel. The ground floor windows are recessed mullion windows of 2, 3, and 3 lights, all with cavetto mullions and hoodmoulds. The first floor has similar windows, although some were altered to casements. The centre first-floor window is a stairlight, set slightly lower. Above the door is a single round-headed window, also with a hoodmould. Small attic windows of 2, 2, and one light, with flush mullions (now blocked), are set under the eaves. Stone coping is present on the left gable, and brick chimneys are on both sides. The rear elevation includes a 2-light firewindow, a six-light king-mullioned housepart window, a small round-headed light to the staircase bay, and a 4-light parlour window, altered to form a door in the left half. A round-headed light is positioned above the firewindow at first floor, along with 3-light windows to each principal bay, altered like those at the front. Similar hoodmoulds are present on these rear windows, as well as 3 attic windows that match the front. A section of chimney has been cut down at the parlour corner. The south gable wall has a single round-headed light at ground floor level and two in the attic. A modern single-storey addition to the north end is not included in the listing. The interior housepart has an inglenook fireplace with a large, chamfered bressummer and two ovolo-moulded beams. The parlour features a similar beam, and the service room has a chamfered beam. The first floor and attic share similar beams. The attic contains axial and two lateral partitions to eaves level, consisting of post and rail with wattle-and-daub panelling, which created cubicles; these contain graffiti with dates, mostly from the 19th century, presumably made by migrant workers. The roof features two collar trusses. This represents the best example of an unusual, localised building type, comparable to Cliff and Warth farmhouse within the same parish, and Marsh Farmhouse in Brindle.