Birbecks

SAFFRON WALDEN

TL53NE REDGATES LANE, Sewards End 669-1/4/381 No.9 01/11/72 Birbecks

GV II

House. Mid C16 and early C17. Timber-framed and rendered with gabled tiled roof. 2 storeys with off-centre ridge stack of grouped diagonal shafts and early C17 moulded barge-boards. Front elevation has three 3-light casements on first floor over two 3-light and 1 single-light casement all with leaded lights. Small gabled C20 porch with exposed framing. Rear elevation has catslide lean-to at S end with tall stack, large flat roofed rear extension and C20 conservatory. First floor has three 3-light leaded casements. The present house is based on an in-line hall house of early to mid Cl6 with long internal wall bracing. In the early/mid C17 this was raised to a full 2 storeys by the addition of short jowled posts over the original wall plates and was slightly extended to the N. INTERIOR: the plan form/structure is now somewhat confused but some floor joists are chamfered and belong to the earlier phase. Entrance passage to rear of porch has brick paved floor. Early C17 stack has one ground floor and 2 first floor arch-headed fireplaces each with a mantel shelf of moulded brick and tile. Ground floor fireplace has salt cupboard and contemporary panelled doors on each flank. Stairs rise in front of stack in American colonial fashion. Moulded balusters contemporary with later phase or slightly later. N ground floor room has corner cupboard from elsewhere with elliptical arch, fluted pilasters and serpentine shelves.

Listing NGR: TL5706438492