Rochfords

Rochfords is a 15th and 16th century house of two builds, forming an L-shaped plan with a stair tower against the rear wall, and standing two storeys high. It is timber-framed and plastered, with Georgian styling applied to the west front. The central front door comprises six panels, flanked by fluted pilasters and an entablature featuring triglyphs and dentils; a window is positioned above the door. Two hornless sash windows are found on each side of the doorway, repeated on both storeys. The roof is hipped and pegtiled, concealed behind a parapet, with a red brick chimney stack featuring three concertina shafts.

The wing extending east from the north end is the oldest part of the house, featuring a crownpost roof. The house is notable for having only one crosswing, owing to the incorporation of an earlier building on the site in the early 16th century. The hall range originally consisted of four bays on the ground plan, with additional bays at each end for solar and service functions, located at the north end. This hall range was originally floored, with common joists displaying roll-moulded corners and tenons with diminished haunches, characteristic of a build date after circa 1512. Bridging joists also have diminished haunches and soffit spurs. The service bay was initially roofed as a crosswing, while the remaining three bays of the hall were covered by a similar heavily timbered side purlin roof which is well windbraced.

In the early 18th century, the house was restyled both internally and externally, preserving many mediaeval features. The 18th century interior retains good quality detailing. The parapet was added during this period, and the mediaeval eaves were removed from the front. Good oaken sash windows, fitted with sliding shutters that move both vertically and horizontally within lead-lined grooves, also date to this restyling.