College Farmhouse

College Farmhouse is a former farmhouse dating from the late 16th century, situated on Flixton Road, South Elmham St. Cross. The building has a T-shaped plan, consisting of a main range and a cross-wing. The main range is timber-framed and rendered, while the cross-wing has been encased in whitewashed brick. The roof is covered with black glazed pantiles. Each range has a large external chimney stack, one featuring a pair of diagonally-set, square shafts attached. The front of the main range now has casement windows, replacements introduced during a 1985 restoration. The cross-wing retains mainly 3-light casement windows, with some dating to the 18th century (showing remains of square leaded panes) and others from the 19th century, distinguished by segmental arched heads to their frames and surrounds. A series of reinstated original mullioned windows are visible on the rear wall, including three 3-light windows with chamfered mullions to the upper floor, one to the stair, and another beside the chimney-stack, featuring four lights with ovolo-moulded mullions, all with intermediate bars. A studded plank entrance door is set within a small, open, gabled timber porch. Substantial timbering is exposed inside, with evidence of significant component reuse. Internal restoration has altered the layout, but confirmed that both ranges are contemporary. A principal room to the right of the main range features an open timber ceiling with a 3-inch chamfer and stepped scroll stops to the main beam. Close studding is visible on two walls, and there is a wide, open fireplace with a flat, moulded brick arch made from a mixture of soft red and yellow bricks. The remains of a cross-entry are present, and the service area to the left formerly contained a half-cellar. A dog-leg ladder stair connects the two ranges. On the upper floor, evidence points to a former storied porch at the cross-entry, and a blocked door in the right gable, potentially for an outside stair or an additional section of the main range. The upper ceilings and attics remain original. The cross-wing originally contained a single 3-bay room on the ground floor. Both ranges share identical roofs with two rows of butt purlins and intermediate collars between trusses. A moated site is located to the north of the house. Historically, the farmstead belonged to St. John’s College, Cambridge, which explains its name.