Kirstead House Farmhouse

House. Dated 1654, as indicated by “RMW” inscribed in plaster to the overmantle of an upper room; a 19th-century addition exists to the east; outbuildings are located to the south. The house is timber-framed, with portions clad in brick, and includes a brick extension. The roof is covered with glazed black pantiles. It follows a three-bay lobby-entrance plan, incorporating a two-bay 19th-century addition. The facade is two stories high and four bays wide; the two left-hand bays of the 19th-century addition have a shallower roof pitch than the original range and feature a sash window with glazing bars on the ground floor. A 6-panel door with fielded panels, panelled reveals, fluted pilasters, a fascia, and a plain cornice is located to the right of the sash window. A sash window is present on the first floor, and a blind window sits above the door. A sawtooth dentil eaves cornice is also present, along with an axial stack. A sash window and a casement window are found in the left-hand bay of the 17th-century range. Similar fenestration appears on the first floor. The walling to the right is not brick-clad. An off-centre axial stack is present. Inside, the central bay contains a kitchen with a built-in 17th-century bench integrated into the wall. A heavy chamfer is visible on the transverse beam. Two small, unheated rooms are located in the service end bay, separated by a timber-framed partition with later doors. One of these small rooms has an elaborate plaster ceiling, featuring a stylized rose at the center, a laurel-wreath garland surrounding it, and angel heads and wings in the spandrels. The 19th-century range includes a stone-flagged entrance hall and staircase with stick balusters. The 17th-century roof retains clasp purlins and curved wind-braces.