Benson'S Barn And Country Cottage

Benson's Barn and Country Cottage is a former barn and stable that has been converted into two houses. It dates from the early 18th century and was altered in 1781, as indicated by the date on the brick, with the conversion to houses occurring around 1990. The structure is timber-framed with 18th and 19th century red brick nogging and red brick, featuring gabled plain-tile roofs and an L-shaped plan.

The exterior of the barn consists of three bays of large-panel framing with narrow upper intermediate rails and diagonal down-braces on the garden facade, while the front facade is made of brick. It has a brick plinth and central opposing threshing doorways, which are now glazed, along with a doorway in a 19th century brick wall to the left. The central cross frames have down-braces and brick infill at the first rail level, and the studs are jowled.

The former stable projects forward and features a central door flanked by shuttered windows on the left side, with brick cambered lintels above. There is also a loft door and brick dentilled eaves.

Inside the barn, there are queen-strut trusses in the center and queen-posts at the gable ends, with some likely early 19th century renewal of purlins, clasped purlins, and a ridge piece. The threshing floor is stone-flagged. The former stable has chamfered spine beams. This building forms a group with Old Grove Farmhouse.