Rookery Farmhouse

Rookery Farmhouse is a farmhouse dating from the early 16th century, with a core that dates back to the mid 14th century. It is a rare and significantly altered example of an aisled hall house. The building has two storeys and features a timber-framed and plastered structure with a plaintiled roof, which includes a 17th-century axial chimney made of red brick.

The 17th-century parlour block has small-pane sash windows with side-lights from the mid 19th century, while other windows are casements from the 19th and 20th centuries. The entrance features a pair of panelled and glazed doors from the 19th century. Although the aisled house originally comprised three bays, the aisles have been removed from both sides.

Inside, there are four trusses that show evidence of passing-braces, which were tenoned into the main tie-beam, passed the principal posts in trenches, and continued downwards into the aisles. Some square-sectioned braces beneath the tie-beams still survive. Remnants of the arcade-places can be seen, with some square-sectioned bracing extending down to the arcade-posts. The arcade posts in the open truss of the hall were replaced in the 16th century when the aisles were removed and a large first floor was added. Evidence of diamond-mullioned and shuttered windows mainly dates from this period.

In the early 17th century, the coupled rafter roof from the 14th or 16th century was largely removed, and a queen-post roof was constructed. A parlour block and chimney were added at the south end during this time. There is also a small wing on the west side, which may date from the 16th or 17th century and has undergone 20th-century alterations. The house was restored in 1984.