Freston Tower House And Cottage

This is a 16th-century house range, with a late 16th-century gable end, that has undergone substantial later alterations, additions, and a major renovation around 1979. The structure is timber-framed, featuring an orange brick gable end and stack with blue diapering. Parts of the timber frame are clad, and there are red brick additions in a Flemish bond pattern. The first floor of the west front is rendered, and the roofs are covered with plain tiles. The original range is 4 bays, with two later bays added to the north, including a cellar. The west front now has C20 casement windows, raised brick gables, and kneelers. A later addition to the rear extends under a pent roof. The right gable end is notable for a massive, external crow-stepped stack.

The interior of the Tower House ground floor reveals an exposed spine beam, two chamfered cross beams and joists (partially restored), and a stout timber frame at the first floor. This includes jowled posts, chamfered tie beams with run-out stops, mortices and pegs for missing arch braces, and an edge-halved scarf to the hall plate, with one side renewed. Other interior details include a studded partition and end wall, and a clasped purlin roof with wind braces. The building had previously been subdivided into four cottages and was derelict by the 1970s, when it was extensively renovated and divided into three separate units. The original timber-framed range now constitutes the Tower House.