Dieu-La-Cres Abbey Farmhouse

LEEK

SJ95NE ABBEY GREEN ROAD 611-1/1/5 (East side) 13/04/51 Dieu-la-Cres Abbey Farmhouse (Formerly Listed as: ABBEY GREEN Dieu-la-Cres Abbey Farm)

GV II

Farmhouse, now subdivided as 2 dwellings, and possibly incorporating gateway to former Abbey of Dieu l'Acres. Dated 1612. Some later extensions and remodelling in the later C19 (some time after 1862). Coursed and squared rubble to lower storey, timber-framed above, with slate roofs. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys, main range with 2 gabled cross-wings, one forming storeyed porch towards centre of building. Right-hand part of main range possibly extended towards right (chamfered plinth in left-hand section only), but incorporating full-height archway in rear wall of left-hand bay, apparently originally a gateway with coved timbering over. Front of this range has 3 2-light iron casement windows projecting on moulded Mannerist brackets, with similar windows below all presumably dating from C19 remodelling. Mock-timbering added at the same time to painted brick of upper storey. 2 jettied wings separating central hall range of main part of house: canted bay window in left-hand wing, with 3-light leaded window above, and gable apex jettied out. Square panelled framing visible in return gable of main range, but timbering on jettied wing largely C19. Central hall range has full-height stair window to left, with leaded glazing and some stained glass. 6-light mullioned window to first floor projecting on moulded brackets, 3-light mullioned window below. Timbering applied to brick in C19. Right-hand wing is gabled storeyed porch. Dated 1612 with initials R over TA in timber cornice over 4-centred arched entrance. Moulded bressumer and close studding with some decorative panelling, apparently all largely the original timberwork. Axial stack behind porch, with decorative niches cut into the brick. Former similar stack towards right removed. Rear elevation has wide gable to cross-wing, with shallow jettying to first floor, extended, possibly during C19. Narrow storeyed porch on axis of front entrance porch, the doorway now a pointed-arched window. Shallow stair tower projects beyond the porch; enriched 4-centred arch of the former cart entry with decorative timber panelling to coving at lower end

of building. Adjoining the house at right angles to the front, is an arched entrance gate dated 1627: shallow 4-centred archway of that date, ornamented (probably when the adjacent farm buildings were constructed c1820) with over-arch and pediment assembled from sculpted stone of abbey ruins: the pediment over the arch is made from sections of clustered shaft piers, and the archway is flanked by carved figures and further ornamented with rosettes, corbel heads and fragments of tracery, vaulting ribs, etc. INTERIOR: not inspected. (Sleigh, John: A History of the Ancient Parish of Leek: Leek: 1862-).

Listing NGR: SJ9823157832