Charity Farmhouse

TM 14 SW BELSTEAD CHARITY LANE 2/14 Charity Farmhouse II House, divided in two. Mainly C17, with possibly earlier core, and later alterations. Timber framed and brick, rendered, pantile roof. 4-cell plan, originally perhaps 3 cells. If storeys. 2 storey wing to rear of C20. 2 brick stacks, one axial, one set crosswise on ridge. Boarded door in lobby entry position to left hand stack. Boarded door perhaps in cross entry position to right of it. C20 top hung casements to left cell, between the doors and to right. 3 dormers with C20 top hung casements. Left cell has blocked doorway in rear wall. Lambs tongue stops to almost vertical joists and cross beams, and to beam over altered fireplace. Stairs formerly in front of stack, replaced by C20 flight. Brick partition cuts former right hand cell making 1½ cell cottage to far right. This may be the remains of an earlier building, having edge halved joint and clasped purlin roof, with ridge piece. Roof to left hand build not seen but said to be mostly original. Bequest of 1749 to purchase double cottage and 4½ acres of land for charity.

Listing NGR: TM1228040419