Briar Lea Peartree Cottage

The following building shall be added:

OFFENHAM CHURCH STREET SP 0546 (west side)

1559-0/11/10000 No 2 Peartree Cottage and Briar Lea

GV II

Pair of attached cottages. Circa C16, remodelled or rebuilt in circa mid C17; Briar Lea added in circa early C19. Stone rubble with gable-ended thatched roof, right hand end at front reclad in plain tiles; Briar Lea painted brick with gable-ended plain tile roof Brick lateral and gable end stacks.PLAN: Peartree Cottage has a 2-room plan with small rooms partitioned off at the back. Originally it might have been open to the roof and the central timber-framed partition and floors inserted in circa mid C17; alternatively it could be C17 rebuilding, possibly as a pair of cottages, re-using some of the smoke-blackened roof timbers. The lateral partitions forming the small back rooms were probably inserted in the C18 or early C19. Briar Lea was built in circa early C19 as a separate cottage at the north end, but subsequently the rear right hand chamber of Peartree Cottage has been incorporated into its accommodation. EXTERIOR 1-storey and attic. Asymmetrical 2-window range. C19 2-light casements with glazing bars. Doorway on left with wooden chamfered frame with mason's mitres and plank door. 2 small dormers in thatch breaking eaves and large brick lateral stack on right. At rear, on right similar doorframe to that at front and on left dormer with chamfered wooden frame. Briar Lea on right [north] 2 storeys, 1 window front with small 2-light casements and doorway on left with C20 porch; outshut at rear.INTERIOR of Peartree Cottage: Larger left hand room has chamfered~axial beam without stops and unchamfered joists; large dressed stone fireplace with unchamfered timber lintel. Smaller right hand room has similar axial beam and joists and stack in front right hand comer with new fireplace and small cupboard above with carved decoration on door; partition at back has 2-light window with leaded panes. Central timber-framed partition partly removed on ground floor but complete above. Attic chambers have exposed purlins, wall-plates and wind-brace at front. The roof has no trusses, only the central timber-framed partition with principals crossed at apex, re-used smoke-blackened collar and queen-struts. Large purlins, those at front and the ridge-piece re-used and smoke-blackened; also some smoke-blackened common rafters. Interior of Briar Lea not inspected.

Listing NGR: SP0523746395