Model farm complex south west of Betley Old Hall

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 11/09/2019

SJ 74 NE 8/41, 10/41

BETLEY C.P. MAIN ROAD (west side) Model farm complex south-west of Betley Old Hall

(Formerly listed under MAIN STREET)

GV II*

Model farm including cow sheds, cart sheds, granary, stables and mill. Early C19. Built for George Tollet IV (1767-1855). Red brick with plain tile roofs. The farm complex is built on a hillside sloping from north to south, and is on three levels. The north and south ranges contain two tier cow sheds. They enclose two sides of a farm yard which is accessible from the upper storey of the south range and the lower storey of the north range. The upper storey of the north range and the lower storey of the south range were entered from the upper and lower farmyards respectively. A range of cart sheds with granary over encloses the west side of the middle yard and a range for feed preparation incorporating a water mill encloses the east side. There are more cowsheds to the east side of the lower yard.

The Middle Yard. Two storey north range with dentilled eaves band. Ten bays of three-centred arches to the ground floor each with semi-circular arched openings above. Two doors to ground floor left giving access to stables. Low south range with eleven bays of three-centred arches. The west side of the west range has five cartshed bays with three-centred arches. Tallet steps in the south gable give access to the first floor granary. The east range has three pitching eyes to the loft and two segmental headed doors.

The Lower Yard. The south-side of the south range has six round headed doors at ground level and is blind above. East range with seven bays of segmental arches.

Interior. All buildings have bolted king-post roofs. Ground storeys of all the cow sheds are groin vaulted in brick. Behind the lower tier of cowsheds in the south ranges a feeding passage entered from the east range. Within the mill building is a cast iron undershot water wheel which powered the machinery involved in feed preparation. The axle shaft and other gears also survive.

Listing NGR: SJ7513849011