Birches Farmhouse

Birches Farmhouse is a farmhouse, partly dating to the 17th century with significant early to mid-19th century additions and alterations. It is constructed of purplish-brown brick, likely concealing a timber frame in parts, with plain tile roofs and ridge and end stacks. The earliest section, on the south side, is a short rectangular block to which a longer range was added at a right angle to the rear, with further 19th-century additions to the east. The west front has a three-by-one window arrangement with a projecting, pedimented break to the right that curves and ramps down. Most windows are 20th-century casements, except for one glazing-bar sash window on the first floor of the pedimented break. A 20th-century door is situated in the angle between the main section and the pedimented projection. The south front is now bricked up but is said to have been timber-framed originally. It has a prominent ridge stack with tall paired shafts, and one 20th-century casement window to the right. A single-storey 19th-century addition, including a former dairy, is on the right. Inside, some timber framing is exposed, including principal rafters to the south gable end of the later 17th-century range. Large stone fireplaces are present in both 17th-century ranges, along with moulded and bevelled cross beams with straight-cut chamfer stops.