The Homestead

The Homestead is a house dating from the early 16th century and around 1730. It is constructed of dark red brick, with rubbed brick and limestone dressings, and has plain tile roofs. The building has two storeys, attics, and basements, with a rear wing that is part of the original timber-framed structure on the site. The façade features five symmetrical bays, with the main entrance approached by semi-circular stone steps leading to an eight-panelled door that is shaped to a segmental arch and framed by a dentil-enriched pedimented wooden doorcase.

There are five original twelve-paned hung sash windows on the first floor and two on the ground floor, all shaped to segmental rubbed brick arches with stone key blocks and sills. To the right of the door, two windows are 20th-century replacements of 19th-century inserted three-light hung sash windows. The exterior includes a plinth and a brick band between the floors, with shaped gable parapets featuring limestone copings and stone dressings at the end stacks. There are also two blind basement windows.

Inside, the house retains an original hall and parlour plan with complete rooms featuring raised and fielded pine panelling, doors, and doorcases. Some original chimney pieces and flanking cupboards remain, along with a very fine open string staircase that rises to the attic floors. The ceilings have moulded cornices with dentil enrichment. It is said that the house was built for a corn merchant.