Abbey Farmhouse

Abbey Farmhouse is a substantial timber-framed farmhouse, largely dating from about 1550-60, with significant alterations in the 18th century. It is located on Abbey Road in Old Buckenham. The building has a "L" shaped layout.

The north range, two storeys high, originally had wattle and daub infill, but now incorporates reused stone and brick, with a plain tiled roof and pantiles to the rear. A four-centred timber arch, originally located left of centre, has had its lintel replaced in 1973. The ground floor of this range is bricked, with renewed casement windows. The first floor is jettied, having close studding, and features a continuous range of timber mullioned windows, punctuated by five groups of taller, mullioned windows under the eaves. These mullions are moulded with a hollow chamfer between two rolls on each facet of a broadly diamond section. The west gable is brick, with octagonal corner turrets topped by conical pinnacles above the parapet. An internal gable stack has two circular flues, one decorated with a spiral pattern, the other with a chevron design in rubbed brick, built on a bell-based plinth. The rear of the north range is similar, with later extensions to the east.

The east range is two storeys high and consists of four bays. The two northern bays are constructed from reused stone from St. Augustine’s Priory, dating from the same period as the north range, and now contain a 20th-century door and a four-light cross casement window on the left side. There are also two two-light mullioned windows to the first floor, all set within 18th-century openings. Lower windows and the door are set under segmental arches. The southern bays date from the early 18th century and are built of colourwashed brick, with two three-light ground floor casements and two two-light casements above. This range has a gabled roof and south gable parapet with kneelers. Two rebuilt ridge stacks are present. The rear of the east range is dominated by two stepped external stacks with rebuilt shafts and a gabled stair turret. Reused stonework is visible in the north bays, and there are two early 18th century arched Gothick windows. The fenestration is otherwise disparate. The roof is hipped to the north.

Inside, the northwest room contains tongue-stopped bridging beams and a staircase. A 16th-century attic door, with strapwork hinges, is also present. A 20th-century staircase in the second bay west leads to a passage; the left side is timber-framed, while the right side comprises 20th-century additions. An upper hall, which once spanned the whole range, has been partitioned to create a bedroom. The hall itself consists of four irregular framing bays, with arched braces tying the beams to five vertical struts rising to rafters. An inserted ceiling is present. Western tie beams and a fireplace overmantel are painted in a diamond diaper pattern. The fireplace bressummer is triple roll moulded on its outward face, displaying carved shields at each end. Two 16th-century doors, with strap hinges, flank the fireplace, leading to a privy on the left and a coal store on the right. The room is lit by mullioned windows.

The dining room in the east wing's north bays retains a fireplace with a four-centred bressummer inscribed "A.E." and with shields at the ends. It also features double stud stops with a sunk roll in the chamfer, and two bridging beams with similar stops. The remainder of the east range is 18th century, with chamfer-stopped bridging beams, and alcoves at each end featuring a fluted Corinthian case and a segmental arch, flanked by similar shell hood cupboards. The north wing roof is entirely 20th-century, while the east wing roof has tie beams, collars and two tiers of butt purlins, but many timbers have been renewed.