Swan House

TL 4115 WIDFORD HUNSDON ROAD (west side) Widford village

5/22 Swan House

-

GV II

House. Late C16 (RCHM Typescript) altered in early C19. Timberframed plastered house with weatherboarded apex and front faced in brick, colourwashed. Very steep old red tiled roof with hip and gable on N end. A 2 storeys, 3 windows house facing E. Lower openings have segmental arches and heavier stone (?) sills. Recessed sash windows with 5/5 panes to 1st Floor under the eaves: 10/10 panes to Ground Floor. 4-panel flush-beaded door up 4 steps next right hand corner. Blocked doorway on left of middle window. Heavy central red brick chimney with 2 diagonal shafts (renewed). External gable chimney at S probably C19. A 2 storeys house of 4 structural bays. Service rooms at N with crosspassage behind central chimney which heated only the hall and the chamber over the hall. Parlour at S originally unheated. Framing exposed in rear wall and N gable, with close-studding and tension braces. Clasped purlin roof but lightly cambered tie beams and sooted rafters at service end may indicate a rebuilt roof (RCHM Typescript). An historic timberframed house, formerly since 1805 The Swan Public House previously the Bucks Head. of special interest. Part of a picturesque group in this part of the Conservation Area.

Listing NGR: TL4198515785