Home Farm

Home Farm is a house, likely dating back to the 16th century or earlier, with significant alterations from the 18th and 19th centuries. It was formerly part of the endowment of Downing College Cambridge, established in 1764 by Sir Jacob Downing. Its history is linked to the Hereford Manor, with the farm possibly representing the former manor house.

The house is a substantial timber-framed building, now rendered and colourwashed. It has slate roofs, a central block, and projecting cross-wings. The central block is said to contain smoke-blackened roof timbers, suggesting that the first floor and associated chimney may have been added later.

The south elevation features casement windows with glazing bars; the ground floor has one- and three-light windows, while the first floor has two- and five-light windows. Gables have casement and sash windows, also with glazing bars. A six-panel front door, the top two panels glazed, is positioned within a cross-passage, aligned with a canted bay containing a French window to the rear. A substantial red brick stack serves a back-to-back hearth. The cross-wings have external brick stacks. A later lean-to addition of colourwashed brick and slate is attached to the left-hand cross-wing.