The Tan House

The Tan House is a Grade II listed building located in Fownhope. Originally a row of tenements, it has been converted into a single house. The structure dates back to the 17th century, with later additions from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The earlier house features a timber-framed core with a combination of wattle-and-daub and brick infill, a sandstone plinth, and a mix of sandstone rubble and painted brick. The roofs are covered with slate and tiles.

The 17th-century house is arranged in an L-shape, with a rear wing extending to the east. To the north is the adjoining 18th-century house, which has further additions. Most of the stacks from the 17th-century house have been removed, and the entrances have been blocked. The central house has end stacks and a west lateral stack on the northernmost house. It is primarily two storeys with a basement, while the earlier house has a single storey and an attic.

The west front features a brick refacing on the right side of the 17th-century section. The central late 18th-century house has a string course and four openings on the first floor, three of which have cambered heads; the left of centre opening is blocked and flanked by glazing bar sash windows. There is a ledged door on the far right. On the ground floor, there is a tripartite glazing bar sash window to the left and a 2-light opening with slatted vents to the right of the blocked ledged door. The current entrance is located at the junction with the northern addition, featuring a canopy and a panelled door. The fenestration is irregular, with a 4-light casement window to the left and a single light to the right, along with a tripartite glazing bar sash window on the ground floor.

Inside the 17th-century wing, the timber framing is mostly intact, although some parts have been renewed or replaced. The former end trusses show traces of lozenge framing, and there is a panelled room on the ground floor to the left. The right end section of the central house still contains a cider mill and press on the ground floor.