The Ark

The Ark is a farmhouse that was later converted into three cottages, dating from the early 17th century. It is constructed with timber framing and plaster, featuring some rope-pattern pargetting at the rear, while one gable end is finished in colourwashed brick. The roof is pantiled, with double Roman tiles on the rear slope. The building has two storeys and an attic, arranged in a three-cell form.

On the first floor, there are four original ovolo-moulded mullion and transom windows with moulded sills; one window at the front has four lights, and three at the rear have five lights. An additional original window has been opened out, and another is visible from the inside. The other windows and entrance doors were added in the mid-20th century.

Inside, there is an internal stack with four flues arranged in a sawtooth pattern, which was entirely rebuilt in the mid-20th century, along with a gable end stack on the left. The interior showcases much of the framing, although the joists are not exposed. The hall features an ovolo-moulded bridging beam and cornice, and retains original square-headed entrances (now blocked) to the service rooms. The parlour and the chamber above it have ovolo-moulded cross-beamed ceilings. Above the fireplace in the chamber is a painted text, likely from the 18th century, which is now somewhat indistinct but appears to have moralistic content. The house also retains original newel stairs and several original doors, including one leading to the attic stair. This building is a fine example of its type in an area where intact timber-framed houses are rare.