Middle Farmhouse

SJ 30 NE WESTBURY C.P. HEM LANE, Westley (South-east side) 9/102 - Middle Farmhouse

• II

Farmhouse. Probably mid-to late C16 partly rebuilt in the mid-C19. Timber framed with painted brick nogging, partly rebuilt in painted brick; slate roof; Baffle-entry plan of 3 framed bays. One storey and attic. Framing: square panels (3 from sole-plate to wall plate) with short corner braces (rear). 3 gabled eaves dormers with 2-light wooden casements; brick ridge stack off-centre to right, integral brick end stack to right, and external lateral stack at rear. 3- window front; C19 two-light segmental-headed wooden casements; mid-C19 four-panelled door between first and second windows from right and gabled brick porch with segmental arch. Timber framed left- hand end wall has collar and tie-beam truss with queen-struts and V- struts; framing exposed at rear too. C19 brick addition at rear with integral brick end stack. Interior: roof with single purlins, central ground-floor room has chamfered beam and joists with ogee stops, large open fireplace with chamfered and stopped lintel, early C19 surround with flush-panelled sides and moulded cornice, and C19 cast iron grate depressed-arched doorway into ground-floor right-hand room; ground- floor right-hand room remodelled in the early C19 with moulded skirting, picture rail and architraves to doors and windows; early C19 fireplace with cast iron grate, segmental arch, and surround with reeded pilasters supporting frieze and moulded cornice, and flanking round- arched wall cupboards, each having reeded architraves with bases and cross-reeding at impost and keystone positions, pairs of one- and 2- panelled doors, and plain shelves within; early C19 staircase to rear with stick balusters and turned newel post. This farmhouse is notable for the completeness of its interior fittings, particularly those dating from the early C19. V.C.H. , Vol. VIII, p. 306; C. Ryan, The evolution of the peasant house in Shropshire. Medieval - c. 1850. The Parish of Westbury, Unpublished thesis (October 1979), Manchester University, pp. 105-6.

Listing NGR: SJ3640906950