White House Farmhouse

Farmhouse, dating from circa 1640, with alterations in the mid- to late 17th century and the mid-19th century. It is timber-framed with painted brick and rendered infill, some brick replacement walling on a sandstone base, and has plain tiled roofs. The building comprises a hall and a cross-wing plan; the hall is likely of two framed bays aligned east/west, featuring a small staircase wing to the south-west and a large external brick chimney on the north side. A cross-wing is situated at the east gable end. In the 17th century, a large wing was added to the entire north elevation of the hall, and a smaller wing was built to fill the space between the staircase wing and the main cross-wing.

The farmhouse has two storeys, an attic, and a cellar. The timber framing is primarily of six panels from sill to wall-plate, with short straight braces in some upper corners. The west gable end of the hall was originally jettied at first floor level but has been later underbuilt. The cross-wing features jetties on moulded consoles at first floor level on its three external walls, while the hall and cross-wing have shallow jettied attic storeys. Collar and tie-beam trusses are found throughout, with long struts and lower rails. Most windows are replacement oak mullion windows, many with transoms.

The south front shows a hipped-roofed staircase wing to the left, with a two-light first floor window, and a small lean-to with a square window. The south wing’s gable end has tiled weatherings at first floor and attic levels, a three-light casement on both ground and first floors, and an attic light. The cross-wing gable end has a tiled weathering at first floor level, a four-light ground floor window, a five-light first floor window, and an attic light. The main entrance, now on the west side of the staircase wing, is accessed through a studded and planked oak door, which is likely reused.

Inside, the hall features a large sandstone fireplace approximately ten feet wide. The current main entrance leads into a lobby, with doors leading to the hall and the lean-to addition. The hall entrance is stop-chamfered on its lobby side, while the lean-to entrance is stop-chamfered on both sides, suggesting the lean-to door was the original main entrance. Original oak panelling was sold to an American buyer in the 20th century.