The Old Hall

TF 91 SW 10/30

FRANSHAM LITTLE FRANSHAM The Old Hall

4.12.51

II* Farmhouse. C16 and later. Brick, part rendered and mainly colourwashed. Pantile roofs. Two storeys with attic.

North facade has five bays of mainly C18 fenestration, of three-light mullion and transom windows with leaded lights, metal casements and some original fittings beneath segmental arches. One surviving late C17 two-light mullion and transom. Slightly advanced gabled bay with C18 semicircular headed first floor window. Central front door (adjacent to advanced bay) has fine early C18 bracketted hood with segmental pediment and carved consoles and tympanum. South facade with lower C18 service wing attached. Gabled C18 stair outshut with semicircular headed window directly opposite advanced bay to north.One sloping dormer.

East gable end has six late C16 blocked windows with moulded brick pediments. External stack with pair of octagonal shafts may be an addition despite bonded brickwork because it partially blocks gable windows. Moulded brick pediment set into stack at ground floor level and above a fine stucco panel of the arms of Elizabeth I surrounded by a vine scroll. Stone hood mould with star label stops. Off-centre axial stack with four very similar octagonal shafts. East gable with an added C18 external stack.

INTERIOR: at first floor stone dressed ovolo moulded pair of adjacent fireplaces with arched heads and decorative brackets to single mantelpiece. Evidence for a partition between them. Stepped chamfer stops at ground floor, ogee and nicked at first floor. Fine C18 stair with fluted newels, turned balusters, shaped tread-ends and wide handrail. Upstairs room with plaster barrel vault. C18 roof of staggered butt purlins and collars. One C17 panelled stud partition in roof with part of four-centred arched door head surviving. The oak panelling mentioned in previous list appears to have been removed.

Listing NGR: TF9028111866