Oldfields Farmhouse

SJ 63 NW MORETON SAY C.P. -

5/97 Oldfields Farmhouse

GV II*

Farmhouse, now restaurant. Probably C14 with mid-C17 alterations and mid-to late C19 alterations and additions. Rendered timber frame of cruck construction,partly rebuilt and extended in painted brick. Plain tile roof. 3 bays of former quasi aisled hall with rebuilt cross wing to south-west and C19 addition to south-east. One storey and attic with 2-storey additions. North-west front: brick ridge stack off- centre to left, external brick end stack to left and gabled C19 flush cross wing to right with toothed-brick eaves cornice and integral brick end stack. Pair of small gabled eaves dormers with 2-light wooden casements. 2-window front; C19 three-light wooden casement to left (central window obscured by climbing plant at time of survey - July 1987). C20 glazed door to right with C20 lean-to porch. Lean-to addition to left with 2-light casement to front. Rear wing with toothed brick eaves cornice and external lateral brick stack. Interior: substantial remains of former quasi aisled hall. Central base cruck truss (former hall truss) with continuous chamfer, arched bracing and cambered collar. Probable former spere truss with large jowl posts, arched bracing and cambered tie-beam. Roof raised at some time (see evidence of joints for former arcade plate). First-floor and stack inserted c.1600. Central ground-floor room has pair of ovolo-moulded ceiling beams with ogee stops and plain joists. Large open fireplace with large lintel (cut back at some time). Reordered C17 panelling. Square-panelled framing in front wall exposed internally. Although much altered much of the C14 aisled hall survives. The open hall was probably of 2 bays, one each side of the cruck truss, with at least one bay at the lower end below the spere truss and at least one upper bay above the hall, possibly in the form of a wing on the site of the present C19 cross wing. The present entrance was probably created in the C19. Formerly it would have been in line with a screens passage below the spere truss. This is a rare and important survival of an aisled hall with a base cruck truss.

Listing NGR: SJ6285836354