Lophams Hall

CARLTON CUM WILLINGHAM CARLTON GREEN ROAD TL 65 SW 22.11.67 Lophams Hall (formerly listed as Lopham's Hall 5/47 Farmhouse) II Manor house. C15, C16 and C17. Timber framed, rendered and tiled roofs. Red brick side stack with offsets and rebuilt upper courses to north wall. Late C16 - early C17 side stack to south gable end, also projecting and of red brick English bond with some burnt brick. Offsets with some tumbling. Tiled roofs. Irregular plan. The north range remains of the C15 manor house. The south range was built c.1582 (VCH Cambs p151), probably replacing the open hall of the C15 house, and a south west kitchen wing was added later. Two storeys. Flush frame modern casements. Principal doorway in west gable end. Interior: North range. Two bay solar or parlour wing with some framing exposed including the main posts and tie beams. Framing of substantial scantling with plain deep chamfers, but unmoulded arch bracing to the tie beam of the centre truss. The ground floor ceiling is not exposed but photographic evidence and the existence of a contemporary, moulded middle rail indicate that this winy has always been floored. There is a later hearth exposed on ground floor in north wall. This chimney and the fireplaces may have been added later in C16. Peg holes in the middle rail indicate framing that was replaced by the brickwork of the stack. At first floor there is a fine c.1582 ceiling inserted into the C15 frame. Ogee moulded mainbeams with stops enriched with carvings of roses and one with an elephant. The roof has been much rebuilt over this wing but sufficient remains on the gable ends to indicate that it was of clasped side purlin construction. The wing to the south is of two bays. Ogee moulded main beams to quartered ceiling in ground floor room. Clunch hearth with smaller ogee moulding similar to that in the ceiling in north wing at first floor. This fireplace is reset from the first floor. Contemporary wall painting in this room and the room above has now been removed. At one side of the fireplace is a niche in a round head with key block and shaped shelving, early C18. The side purlin roof is wind braced. A lower range to the south west, C17, has an inglenook hearth. The house is built on a moated site.

R.C.H.M.: record card V.C.H: Cambs Vol VI p151

Listing NGR: TL6469452054