Lower Birks

Lower Birks is a house, dated 1664. It is constructed of large dressed stone with a stone slate roof. The building is two storeys high and has a double pile plan under a single roof. The south front features a weathered plinth and a continuous drip course that is interrupted by decorative label stops over the ground floor windows. The original plan comprised two cells. It has double-chamfered mullioned windows throughout. The front includes a 3-light fire window, a 6-light housebody window with a similar window above, both featuring king mullions, and a 4-light window with a 6-light flat-faced mullioned window above. The gables are coped with kneelers and stacks. A single-storey gabled addition is attached to the left-hand return wall, featuring a coped gable, kneelers, and a 2-light chamfered mullioned window which is now solid. The main range has a doorway with a semi-circular arch and moulded surround, forming the original gable entry, which is now blocked and fitted with a window. Above the doorway is a recessed tablet which reads 'ABRAHAM AND MARY STANSFIELD 1664'. Above the tablet is a 2-light double chamfered mullioned window and an arch-headed light with sunken spandrels. The rear of the house has three chamfered windows, originally of 2 lights, one of which is blocked. Above is a 5-light chamfered mullioned window of 2 lights with a matching window above the front range. There is also a 2-light attic window, now solid.