The Old House

The Old House is a house dated 'ID 1612 ED' on a lintel to a blocked door, built for James Disbrowe, who died in 1638, and his wife Elizabeth. It features an exposed timber-frame construction with plain tile roofs and a plastered plinth. The building has two storeys and attics, with a main range that includes an integral crosswing to the south and a gabled stair turret at the rear with a blocked entrance. The main entrance is located in the original cross passage position.

To the south, there is a lower range that partly encloses the crosswing, which was originally single storeyed. The north elevation showcases a rendered bay window that extends to full height and is a restored original feature. The east elevation has close-studded timber framing with internal bracing and bressumers at the floor levels. The crosswing jetties at eaves height and has a side purlin roof. The windows have been replaced in their original openings, featuring two ground floor, three first floor, and one attic casement windows, along with one original ovolo-moulded mullioned six-light window at the first floor. There is a boarded door.

Inside, the house contains a spiral staircase with an octagonal newel post, framed ceilings with primary and secondary cross-beams that have ovolo-moulding and chamfered detail. Blocked doorways suggest the original arrangement of rooms, and there are two large open hearths. Large ponds to the south are believed to be part of a water garden.