Biggin Abbey

TL 46 SE FEN DITTON HORNINGSEA ROAD (West Side)

7/28 Biggin Abbey 31.8.62

II*

Farmhouse. Late C14 with C17 additions and alterations. Cement rendered limestone and clunch and local C17 brick. Concrete tile copings to main gable parapets. Modern red pantiles and old plain tile roofs. Two storey main range, one storey and attic extensions to south west. South east elevation has lateral buttresses of three stages and rendered plinth. Three replacement first floor two-light casement windows. Main entrance to left hand with panelled door. Inserted C17 stack originally with shaped shafts partly rebuilt to right hand. C17 gable extensions of perhaps two building periods with parapet gable and stack and end stack to lower range. Yellow and red local brick with band and chequer patterning. Modern fenestration; one dormer window and four ground floor windows of various sizes. Boarded door to right hand. For interior details and reconstruction of original building see R.C.H.M. East Cambs. The farmhouse is a surviving part of the residence of The Bishops of Ely and was visited by Henry III, Edward I and Edward II, it was once moated. A small attic room known as the 'Monks Prison' may have been used as a chapel and was described by Wm Cole. Cole, Wm. Watercolour 1768 R.C.H.M.: East Cambs p. 58, mon. 5. Relhan (1754-1823), Watercolour C.A.S. Collection C.A.S. Col XLVIII, 1955 pp. 1-5. Chadwick, D.V.M.

Listing NGR: TL4873861757