Byways

Byways is a house that dates back to the 15th or 16th century, featuring timber framing that was altered in the 17th century. The exterior is plastered, and it has a plain tile roof on the two-storey front block, while a single-storey rear extension has a slate roof. The two-storey block consists of two bays, with thick, closely spaced joists running axially. The joists in the southern bay have been cut away, indicating the presence of a staircase. The corners of the joists are roughly cut, and their size and arrangement suggest that this building is the only remaining cross wing of a hall house. The lack of refinement in the joists implies it may have served as the lower end kitchen in the rear wing, which is heated by a brick stack and includes a bread oven and hot water boiler. The upper floor and roof were modified in the 17th century. On the left side near the rear corner, there are ground and first floor windows that feature some 18th-century woodwork. An external stack is located to the right of the entrance on the left side.