Impsley Farmhouse And Associated Outbuildings Immediately To North West

Impsley Farmhouse and Associated Outbuildings, Ullenhall

This is a farmhouse with associated outbuildings, probably dating from the early 16th century but substantially altered and extended over subsequent periods, including restorations and conversions of the outbuildings to domestic use in the 1980s.

The main house is timber-framed with later brick nogging and features tiled roofs that are hipped on the left side and gable-ended elsewhere. The building comprises 4 units arranged in series with 2 wings to the rear.

Originally, the house appears to have consisted of a 2-bay open hall with a storeyed end. The south-east hall bay was probably floored first and jetted slightly into the remaining open bay. The north-west bay of the hall contains a number of smoke-blackened roof timbers. During the 17th century, the remaining open hall bay was floored, a stack was inserted between the 2 right-hand units to form a lobby entrance, and brick infilling was added. (A stack from around 1700, which was later removed, had previously disturbed the evidence.) The 2 rear wings, which are much altered, date from different periods, with that to the rear of the south-east hall bay possibly dating to 1676-99.

The timber-framing features small panelling with curved and straight angle-braces. The roof is a queen-post design with V-struts above the collar.

The front elevation presents an irregular range of 5 windows. Much of the framing is visible. There are no original windows; the current windows are mostly 1-, 2- and 3-light casements (one top-hung, one bowed, and one sash, all with glazing bars), though one first-floor window to the right of the porch may occupy an early window opening. A framed gabled porch with a cambered lintel to the outer doorway (with timbers probably reused) sits to the left of centre, topped with a tiled roof. A substantial plinth is mostly obscured by a raised walkway approached by steps to the left; the wall was rebuilt in the late 20th century.

Both side elevations have much exposed framing. The right return features one 2-light casement to each floor. The left return has a late 20th-century first-floor door reached by open timber stairs.

The rear elevation shows 2 gabled wings of slightly different heights and widths, with a masonry joint between them. Victorian window openings with cambered brick arches have been fitted with later 3-light casements with glazing bars. A hipped porch sits to the right. Between the wings and the north-west bay (where further framing is visible), the elevation projects under a catslide roof.

The interior retains framing that is largely visible, though partially removed from the extreme north-east section. Ceiling beams are chamfered. A mullioned window at the rear first-floor level is obscured internally by the later wing. The open-hall central truss has ogee braces. Changes in floor level are evident at first-floor level between the former hall and storeyed ends. Some doors are planked and ledged. The entrance hall has a flag floor.

The outbuildings immediately to the north-west are contemporary with the house and formed part of the original farmstead. A single-storeyed framed structure with a hipped roof links the house to the remnants of a barn of similar construction. The barn survives as 2 bays only, with end framing visible to the north-east and Victorian brickwork to the south-west. Both structures have undergone considerable internal modification, and 2-light casement windows have been inserted.