Apple Tree Cottage

TL 60 17 HIGH RODING THE STREET

4/20 Apple Tree Cottage,

GV II

Aisled building, C16 or earlier, altered in C17, Cl9 and C20. Timber-framed, plastered, roof thatched, C20 'Roman' tiles on lean-to and rear extension. This was originally an aisled building of uncertain function, with a mainspan of 4.5 metres aligned approximately N-S. Major alterations in the C17 brought it to its present form. The aisles were removed, the arcades infilled, and the walls raised by approximately 1.5 metres, the roof rebuilt, an axial chimney stack built at the S. end, and a bay added at each end, producing a 2-storey house of 4 bays. A lean-to extension of one storey was added at the S end, C19, and a 2-storey wing extended to the E of the N bay, C20. Ground floor, 4 horizontal-movement sash windows, C19 or C19 type, one small C20 casement, plain door. First floor, 4 horizontal-movement sash windows, C19 or C19 type. Roof hipped at both ends. Some framing exposed internally. In the E wall the original arcade plate is exposed, with 2 arch braces in situ and evidence of a third interrupted by an inserted window. The jowl of the central arcade post has been hacked back to clear a stair and the tiebeams and braces removed. The C17 clasped purlin roof incorporates 3 re-used smoke-blackened medieval rafters. The C17 axial beam in the 2-middle bays is of exceptional interest, Y-shaped, formed from a forked trunk, properly squared and jointed. The beam in the N bay retains bark. In the roof space a floor has been made of wattle and daub in the W half of the S. bay, probably for grain storage. The cottage character has been retained by accurate replacement of C19 horizontal-movement sash windows where necessary.

Listing NGR: TL6049517614