Boultwood'S Farmhouse

The farmhouse dates to the 17th century, with alterations made in the early 19th century. It is timber framed and largely brick clad in a Flemish bond pattern, with some plastered sections, and has a slate roof. The main range comprises three bays facing southeast, with an axial stack positioned one bay from the right end and another in the left end wall. An earlier 17th-century service wing is located to the rear of the right end, while an early 19th-century wing extends to the rear of the left end, canted to the left. A single-storey lean-to extension connects the rear ranges. The house has two storeys and a cellar. The front elevation features two full-height, splayed bay windows with sashes of 8, 12, and 8 lights, incorporating some crown glass. A central first-floor sash has six lights and a semi-circular head. The central entrance has a six-panel door (four fielded panels, bottom panels flush), within a doorcase featuring engaged fluted columns, altered capitals, and a shallow canopy. Projecting eaves highlight a hipped roof of shallow pitch. The left return displays one early 19th-century sash window of 16 lights within a segmental arch, and a six-panel door (four fielded panels, bottom panels flush) within a doorcase with panelled jambs and soffit, topped with a fanlight exhibiting cast iron radial tracery. The rear elevation of the left wing shows a full-height bow of curved sashes. Inside the main range, features include chamfered axial beams (some of which are boxed in), exposed heavy studding with primary straight bracing in the rear wall, an early 19th-century staircase with a wreathed handrail and stick balusters, a grey and white marble fire surround, and several 17th and 18th-century doors. Original oak floorboards remain on the first floor. A well is located within the cellar. The rear left wing has a white marble fire surround with paterae, and reeded doorcases with paterae. The ground-floor bow's curved folding shutters feature reeded jambs, while the first-floor bow has a reeded surround with paterae. Early 19th-century cast iron grates are present in all hearths at the left end of the house. The rear right wing was reduced from two storeys to one, now featuring a corrugated asbestos roof and chamfered axial beams with exposed vertical section joists. Historical records note a reference to the will of John Bolthood in 1471, as documented by P. Morant in The History and Antiquities of the County of Essex in 1768.