Priory Farmhouse

Priory Farmhouse

House dating from the 15th century or earlier, with later alterations and additions including a 16th-century wing and a chimney stack dated 1699. The building is timber-framed and plastered, with exposed framing visible on the first floor of the west wing.

The house comprises a hall with one storey and attics, a left cross-wing of two storeys, and a right cross-wing and gabled extension, both two storeys with attics. A gable dormer rises above the hall. An off-centre left chimney stack serves the hall. Between the right gabled wings stands a large square chimney stack with a moulded base and capping, featuring two round-headed arches with a geometric panel below. The stack bears the date 1699.

The fenestration follows a 1:2:2:1 window range, comprising various small-paned casements and vertically sliding sashes. A louvred window lights the ground floor of the left cross-wing, which retains a 19th-century dairy. A recessed porch to the right cross-wing contains a six-panelled door with a moulded surround and segmental head with rayed fanlight. A single-storey lean-to extension adjoins the left return of the right cross-wing.

Internally, much of the original timber frame is concealed by later decoration, but little has been altered in the 20th century. The left cross-wing, dating to the 15th century with heavy closely spaced wall studs and two jowled storey posts, continues in use as a scullery. It features a quarry-tiled floor, original arches to a fireplace and bread oven, an internal pump, and a very large brick and stone sink. A brick copper stands in this space. A 18th-century corner cupboard and servants' bells are present. Nailed vertically boarded doors, with original strap hinges, lead into the dairy, game larder, and original hall.

The hall retains a heavy chamfered bridging joist, probably introduced when a ground floor ceiling was inserted, and a halved and bridled top plate scarf visible in the bedroom above. The right cross-wing contains an entrance hall with a Victorian coloured tiled floor and archway. A fine 17th-century well staircase features a moulded string, heavy turned balusters and newels with turned finials, and a moulded handrail. A nailed and moulded door with original strap hinges gives access to the attic newel stairs.

A butler's pantry adjoins the entrance hall to the right. The drawing room and bedroom in the extension right cross-wing display fine plaster ceilings of approximately 1600. The drawing room ceiling is divided into four panels by a moulded and enriched bridging joist and moulded cross straps, with similar straps connecting the panels to the walls. The panels contain scroll and jewel work within moulded rectangular frames with enriched centres. The bedroom ceiling is similar but features larger scrollwork panels without frames, side straps, or jewel motifs; instead, many pendant acorns hang from it. A moulded fire surround with corner patera and blue Delft tiles adorns the drawing room. The adjacent bedroom contains a similar fireplace with brown tiles depicting the four seasons and cast-iron grates.

The attic of the right extension cross-wing retains its original floorboards, jowled storey posts, and a side purlin roof with cambered collars. The collars are framed and pegged, with two pegs on each side. The left cross-wing bedroom retains its original floorboards.