Hartesmere Grange

Hartesmere Grange is a former farmhouse with an early 16th century core, possibly dating even earlier. It underwent alterations in the late 16th century and has a one-cell addition that creates a three-cell house. An early 17th century wing is set forward, giving the building a T-shaped plan. The structure is timber framed and rendered, with the gable end of the 17th century wing featuring restored exposed framing, while some mid-20th century applied studding is present on adjacent walls. The roof is covered with concrete plain tiles and the building has two storeys and attics. Most windows are mid-20th century casements with imitation diamond-leaded panes, although there is one 16th century diamond-mullioned window at the rear and other restored mullioned windows. A single-storey enclosed corner porch has a mid-20th century plank door. Inside, the three earliest bays of the main range show significant alterations, including the insertion of a stack in the center bay and an upper floor in the section to the left of the stack. The interior features exposed studding with reverse-curved braces. There is evidence of a probable open hall window just above the upper floor level behind the stack, as well as an upper window at the former gable end to the right, both originally having diamond mullions. The center cell has a chamfered-joist ceiling, which is set higher than the inserted ceiling in the left cell. The right cell is a later 16th century one-bay addition, retaining intact first floor framing with steep reverse-curved braces and substantial plain ceiling joists on the ground floor. A small portion of the roof above the left cell has sooted rafters, while the remainder of the roof has not been examined.