Upper Lake Farmhouse

SJ 30 NE WESTBURY C.P. ASTERLEY

9/101 Upper Lake Farmhouse -

• II

Farmhouse. Probably C15, partly rebuilt and extended in the mid-C17; mid-to late C19 alterations and mid-C20 refenestration. Timber framed (partly of cruck construction) with rendered and brick infill on coursed sandstone rubble plinth; south-east block mostly pebbledashed; corrugated iron roof to north-west and hipped slate roof to south-east. 2 framed bays of former open hall house to north-west; large partial rebuilding of upper end and L-shaped addition to south-east. One storey and attic with addition of 2 storeys and attic. Framing: irregular wall framing to C15 part; square-panelled framing to C17 part. North-east front; right-hand block: gabled dormer off-centre to left with 2-light C20 metal casement, ground-floor 2-light C20 metal casement off-centre to left and boarded door to left; scotch to central frame post; right-hand return front has exposed full cruck trusses with 2 tie-beams and collar (apex type not noted) - metal casement off-centre to left and boarded door off- centre to right; Left-hand block: brick ridge stack off-centre to right and integral brick end stack to left; 2 gabled dormers with 2-light wooden casements; 2-window front; 3-light C20 metal casements; central door with 4 raised and fielded panels and bracketed hood; partly rendered lean-to addition in front to right; right-hand gable end has exposed framing and collar and tie beam truss with v-struts; 2-window left-hand return front with gabled dormer to left; catslide roof over brick outshut at rear. Interior: the one storey and attic block can be interpreted as one bay of the former open hall plus a short lower bay (now open to the roof); or as 2 bays of the former open hall; central full cruck truss with arch-braced collar, small collar high up, and Alcock apex-type B; pairs of purlins and wind braces. The rest of the interior of the house was not inspected but is known to contain a C17 staircase with splat balusters and a first-floor C17 corner fireplace with a carved overmantel. Upper Lake was a medieval freehold and was held by the Treves family between 1540 and 1681. V.C.H. Vol. VIII, p. 306; Alcock, pp. 96 and 145; C. Ryan, The evolution of the peasant house in Shropshire.Medieval - c. 1850. The Parish of Westbury, Unpublished thesis (October 1979), Manchester University, pp. 92-3.

Listing NGR: SJ3712906838