Parley Beams Farmhouse

TL 82 NW GREENSTEAD GREEN AND CHURCH ROAD HALSTEAD RURAL (south-west side)

5/145 Parley Beams 21.6.62 Farmhouse

• II

House. C14 or earlier, C16 and early C19. Timber framed, plastered with facade of gault brick in Flemish bond, roofed with handmade red plain tiles. Complex plan comprising a main range facing N with 2 stacks in the rear pitch of the roof, with slate-roofed lean-to extension to rear; C16 wing to rear right with 2 axial stacks; 2-bay crosswing at left end of main range, probably late C14; and wider range to rear with one external stack to the left; the whole forming a U-plan. 2 storeys. 4-window range of early C19 tripartite sashes of 4:12:4 lights in flat arches of gauged brick. Off-centre 6-panel door, the 2 top panels glazed, with Tuscan pilasters fluted on the upper two-thirds, entablature with roundels over each pilaster, and open pediment with central motif of coupled diamonds. Plain parapet, gablet hip at each end of main roof. Windows elsewhere are mainly small-paned sashes with moulded surrounds. On the left flank is a C17 wooden window with wrought iron casement and rectangular leaded lights. The rear lean-to has a late C17 recessed door with moulded architrave with central keystone in painted wood, and elaborate moulded cornice over. A house of considerable complexity reflecting numerous rebuildings over a long period. The C14 left crosswing has a heavy crownpost roof with the remains of a louvre. The wing to rear of it formerly had a crownpost roof, but now has an elaborate series of arched collars, each nailed to a rafter, to form a pointed wagon ceiling. This range has been truncated at the front end. The main range has a wind-braced butt-purlin roof with queen posts and high arched collars. To the rear is a typical C17 gabled stair tower now forming a room on the first floor. Much simple C17 panelling. Early C19 staircase, panelling, doors and corner cupboard.

Listing NGR: TL8378729076