Ebbs House

Ebbs House is a former farmhouse, dating from approximately 1530, with alterations made in the late 16th century and again around 1970. It is timber-framed and plastered, with a long-wall jettied front elevation showcasing exposed supporting knee-braces and joist-ends. The roof is tiled, and features two axial brick chimneys; the 19th-century shafts of the chimneys have been rebuilt in red brick. The windows are small-pane casements, many dating from the 19th century. An original oriel window is notable for its carved hammer head cill, flanked by a carved lion to the left and a gryphon to the right. The return face of the cill displays shields bearing a merchant-mark, believed to be that of a wool merchant named Hebbe. Similarly, the original entrance doorway has a 4-centred arched head with carved leaves and a shield displaying the same merchant mark. Internally, the exposed timber framing includes unmoulded floor joists, close studding, and evidence of diamond-mullion windows. A matching oriel window once existed in the hall, similar to the one above. The roof is largely a 20th-century reconstruction, though original crown posts with thin 2-way braces remain. The original house plan is unusual in that the main entrance opens directly into the service area, rather than the hall, and includes an additional small room which may have been a shop. The hall contains a wide, open fireplace with a cambered lintel. A cross-wing was added in the later 16th century, and features two plastered arched fireplaces from the early 17th century. The house is associated with an incomplete medieval moat.