The Post Office Woodcroft

HENLEY ASHBOCKING ROAD TM 15 SE 4/115 Woodcroft, and The Post - Office, Main Roaa - II House and part of post office; originally one house. Early or mid C16 with alterations of C17 and later. 2 storeys. Timber-framed and plastered. Hipped concrete plaintiled roof with 2 axial chimneys of red brick. Mainly C20 casements. Gabled C20 entrance porch to Woodcroft, with battened and boarded door. Probably a house of 3-cell cross-passage entrance plan; the Post Office contains the former parlour and chamber above. There is evidence for a possible original smoke-bay between hall and parlour; in the latter is a crenellated mantel beam, and in the former is a large open fireplace with cambered lintel which is clearly inserted. The original studwork and upper floor structure is heavy and plain; evidence for shuttered windows with square mullions. A datestone 1687 in the cellar probably relates to a chimney added to the service end, and to the butt-purlin roof which reuses the components of the previous roof. The village wheelwright is believed to have lived here down to the C19, when an outshut was added to the rear.

Listing NGR: TM1580951377