New Bells Farmhouse

HAUGHLEY NEW BELLS ROAD, HAUGHLEY TM 06 SW GREEN 4/91 New Bells Farmhouse - (formerly listed as New 9/12/55 bells Farmhouse and barn) -- II*

Farmhouse, c.1530 with alterations of early C17. 3-cell plan, with 2 cross- wings. Hall of 1 storey with attics, right hand cross-wing of 2 storeys, left hand cross wing of 2 storeys with attics. Timber-framed and mainly plastered. The original bricknogged crosswing to right has a jetty at 1st floor level at the front and at the right hand long wall: exposed framing with arch windbraced close studding, the bressumer and the girth beneath the jetty are embattled. The herringbone bricknogging between the studding is original but restored, and further sections of bricknogging are said to be beneath the plaster of the hall walling. The left hand crosswing, added in early C17, has an oversailing tiebeam with ovolo moulding, and restored console brackets beneath. Plaintiled roof with C19 spiked ridge tiles to the hall (the roof was originally thatched). Large C16 axial chimney of red brick; an external chimney of red brick to left. Mainly C20 casements, one with diamond leaded glazing: some early C19 casements with small diamond panes, the bars of cast iron. Mid C20 boarded entrance door with plaintiled canopy. The house is externally of medieval form, but had an upper floor over the hall from the outset; probably used as a storage loft. The hall and parlour have double ogee moulded first floor joists, and back-to-back lintelled open fireplaces. In early C17, a crosswing containing a kitchen was added to left, on the site of the previous service cells: good unmoulded framing and 2-tier butt-purlin roof with wind bracing. Butt purlin roofs were also added to the earlier building. The house stands in the centre of a complete medieval moat.

Listing NGR: TM0352964072