Bodenham Hall

Bodenham Hall is a farmhouse, now divided into two dwellings, dating to the early 17th century. It was altered and partly rebuilt between 1717 and 1740 for the Mason family, remodelled around 1740 likely for John Reece, and further modified in the mid-19th century, with mid-20th century additions. The building is timber-framed with rendered infill on a sandstone base; the south front and sides are roughcast. It has slate roofs, with the main range having a hipped form. A large external rubble chimney with brick stacks is present at each end of the main range. The property is arranged in an L-shape, comprising an older north/south range of three framed bays, and a main east/west range of three framed bays that adjoins the south end via a 6-foot linking section. The house has two storeys, a cellar, and an attic with dormers. The main range’s framing features six rows of square panels from sill to wall-plate, while the rear wing has four rows, with collar and tie-beam trusses and struts. The south front presents a symmetrical arrangement with two ground floor and three first floor 12-pane sash windows. There are two gabled 19th-century dormers with moulded bargeboards, pendant finials, and 2-light casements. The central entrance is sheltered by a flat, moulded canopy supported on console brackets, an architrave, and a 6-panelled door with two flush lower panels and four glazed upper panels, approached by five stone steps with simple cast-iron railings. A 20th-century addition is visible in the north-west angle. Internally, a ground floor room in the west of the main range retains its early to mid-18th-century interior, displaying ornate plasterwork, raised painted panelling, and a fireplace flanked by fluted pilasters with an eared architrave. The older range incorporates reused timber, including two probable former cruck blades in the roof. The main ceiling beams have ogee stop chamfers, with straight internal lower corner braces likely inserted in the early 18th century. Various carpenter's marks are visible on floorboards, ceiling joists, and the main frame. A landing window in the main range bears names scratched into the glass, including "Catherine Chamberlain" and "Henry".