Stonicott

Stonicott is a house dating to approximately the early 17th century, or possibly even earlier, with later 18th and 19th-century extensions. A large, contemporary weatherboarded two-storey extension has been added to the south. The house is timber-framed, with plaster walls incised to resemble ashlar masonry. There is a painted brick outshut and a small UPVC conservatory to the rear. The thatched roof is gabled on the left end and hipped on the right, where it extends over the outshut. A brick axial stack is located to the left of centre.

The original house was designed with a three-room plan, which may have included a central hall and parlour, both likely heated by back-to-back fireplaces in the axial stack and fronted by an entrance lobby. An 18th-century outshut is situated on the right-hand end, while a 19th or 20th-century outshut is positioned behind the hall and parlour.

The facade has a 20th-century entrance door to the left of centre, flanked by 20th-century three- and four-light metal casements with glazing bars on the ground floor, and three small late 19th or 20th-century casements under the eaves on the first floor. At the rear, there are four 20th-century metal frame casements under the eaves, a single-story outshut with a slate lean-to roof, and a 20th-century UPVC conservatory to the left.

The left-hand room contains a chamfered cross beam, exposed rough joists, and a large brick 17th or 18th-century fireplace with a chamfered timber lintel, partially rebuilt. The centre room has a chamfered axial beam, large unchamfered joists, and a large rebuilt brick fireplace with a replaced lintel. The partition between the hall and the original unheated right-hand room has been removed. The partition, which served as the original end wall, between the former unheated room and outshut reveals exposed studding without infill. The first floor retains tie beams, a wall plate, midrails, stud partitions, and wall frames, along with some exposed principal and common rafters, suggesting the roof structure remains largely unaltered. The first floor front wall frame is largely intact, including a jowled storey post and close-studding.

Stonicott is designated a building of group value because it is a good example of a timber-framed structure. Despite 20th and 21st-century extensions, it retains a substantial amount of its original fabric. The 17th and 18th-century alterations contribute to the building’s special interest.