Dove House

Dove House is a farmhouse, now serving as a house, dating to the mid-16th century, with alterations made in the late 20th century. It is constructed of timber-frame on a sandstone plinth; the original infill was likely wattle and daub, but it is now rendered. Sandstone rubble forms the cross-wing. The roof is covered with plain tiles. The main range has a rebuilt internal stack and a side stack, also rebuilt, while the cross-wing retains a projecting sandstone side stack from the 16th century.

The house retains its original hall and cross-wing plan, with a through-passage at the rear of the stack. The main range is of one storey and attic. Originally, the principal elevation faced the garden. It now has 20th-century gable dormers and small-pane wood casement windows. The original doorway to the cross-passage has been partially blocked. Exposed timber framing shows three panels in height on each wall, with upward bracing from posts to wall plate. The range is in five bays, including a narrower entry and firebay. The cross-wing, likely a parlour, comprises four bays and is of two storeys and attic. Modern fenestration is present throughout, except on the side wall at first floor, where two casement windows retain splayed surrounds and chamfered mullions.

Inside the main range, some framing has been inserted, but the principal trusses, roof timbers, wall frame, and partition walls remain substantially original. The hall is two storeys high, with stop-chamfered main beams and joists. The cross-passage retains its original partition walls. A large inglenook fireplace in the kitchen was demolished, and there was formerly an overhang at first floor from a chamber above part of the kitchen. The roof structure is of two tiers with arch braced through purlins and vertical Queen struts from the tie beam to the collar. The timber framing is of substantial scantling. A wide doorway, set within a chamfered arch with draw-bars, leads from the hall to the solar above a storage room. A mid-to-late 16th-century hearth is located on the first floor chamber, featuring a pointed arch with continuous moulding on a high base and leaf ornament to the spandrels; the doorway and two original first-floor windows on either side of the hearth have dressed sandstone surrounds. A straight joint in the side wall may indicate the location of a former garderobe door. The two tiers of wind-braced through purlins are also of substantial scantling.