Downton Farmhouse

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 12/09/2011

SJ 51 SW 3/89

UPTON MAGNA C.P. DOWNTON Downton Farmhouse

II*

Farmhouse. Late C16 and early to mid-C17 with late C19 additions. Timber framed with painted brick plinth, infill and partial refacing; later brick additions; plain tile roofs. L-plan; C17 range of 5 framed bays and parlour wing at right-angles to north-west of one framed bay. 2 storeys and 2 storeys and attic. Parlour wing has jettied first floor with moulded bressumer and jettied gable with ovolo-moulded bressumer and carved brackets; main range has 2 brick ridge stacks off-centre to left and right and integral lateral stack to parlour wing; central C19 gabled dormer with 2-light wooden casement. Framing: C16 parlour-wing has close-studded ground floor with middle rail and S-shaped tension braces, and square-panelled first floor and gable with diagonal framing forming lozenge patterns, and close studding beneath windows; C17 range has square panels (4 from sole-plate to wall-plate), right-hand gable end has Herefordshire-style lattice framing and left-hand gable end has exposed collar and tie-beam truss with queen struts and V-struts. North- west front: main range has first-floor C19 two-light wooden casement to left and two large late C20 two-light casements to right, ground-floor early C19 sixteen-pane glazing bar sash to left and late C20 two-light wooden casement to right; early C19 door to left with 6 flush panels (top 2 glazed) and 2-part rectangular overlight; 3 three-light wooden case- ments in right-hand gable end and late C19 three-light wooden casements in left-hand gable end. Parlour wing projecting to left has blocked first- floor-late C16 oriel window with moulded wooden cill and shaped brackets; late C19 three-light wooden casements in each floor of left-hand return front, and blocked doorway to left; late C19 addition adjoining in angle to right with truncated brick lateral stack to right and segmental-headed 2-light casement on each floor. Large late C19 two-storey brick addition at right-angles to south-east. Interior: ground-floor room in parlour wing has chamfered beam with ogee stops and carved scroll brackets, chamfered joists and dragon beams with ogee stops, corner fireplace with C18 mantle- shelf and panelled surround, and 6-panelled C17 or early C18 door; main range has tie-beam trusses with inclined struts, frame posts chamfered up to jowls, chamfered beams, large open fireplace in kitchen, and C17 panelled doors with strap hinges throughout. There is no evidence that the main north-east/south-west range was ever an open hall, but the plan still retains a cross passage with 2 large bays at the upper end and 2 smaller bays at the lower end.

Listing NGR: SJ5430412878