Rectory Farmhouse

Farmhouse. Dating from the early 14th century, with additions of the late 15th or early 16th century, further alterations and additions circa 1633, and late 18th and 19th century work. The building is timber-framed and roughcast rendered, with plain tiled and slated roofs. It features two symmetrical red brick ridge stacks, each with four diagonal shafts. The farmhouse is two storeys high, with a sunken dairy and single-storey additions to the west. The original aisled open hall, dating back to around 1340, comprises two bays, with cross-wings added to the east and west, projecting on the north elevation. A jettied, two-storey gabled porch fronts the main entrance. Late 18th and 19th century infilling occurs between the wings. Alterations from the early 17th century include the insertion of two stacks with staircases and a hall floor.

The north elevation shows a central porch flanked to the left by a two-storey, parapetted infill, and to the right by an outshut extended across the gable of the west cross-wing, with a reduced side stack. A three-light casement window is found on the first floor to the left, with a ground floor twenty-paned hung sash window and a similar sixteen-paned first floor window to the right; a small Gothic window is located beside the porch.

Inside, exposed floor frames, clunch fireplaces with four-centred arches and moulded jambs, and one fireplace dated ‘1633 RW HI’ in a first floor room are visible. Staircases are located to the south of each stack; the western staircase has flat balusters, while the eastern one features turned balusters, a newel post, and a finial. Inserted 17th century partitions contain three-plank doors with moulded recessed central panels and cross pieces, some of which retain original hinges. Smoke blackened rafters are present in one bay of the hall roof. The roof features an octagonal crown post chamfered from octagonal to square, with straight braces to the collar purlin and collars. A cambered tiebeam with deep arched braces and soffit mouldings concealed by a partition is also present. The assembly to the north is normal, but to the south an arcade plate is ‘clasped’ with evidence for bracing of an aisle. There is a splayed scarf, with under-squinted and sallied abutments. The rectory house was recorded in 1359, and St George's Chapel, Windsor, was granted the advowson in 1351, potentially also claiming the rectory. The farmhouse is situated within a moated site.