Monk Soham Hall

MONK SOHAM SCHOOL ROAD TM 26 NW 2/157 Monk Soham Hall 29.7.55 - II

Manor farmhouse. Mainly C16 and C17, in several phases. C19 alterations. A 2-cell main range with cross-wing to left, extending to rear. The cross-wing was service accommodation, the front section probably down-graded to this function at a later date. Timber framed. The main range is cased in late C18 or early C19 red brick to front and right gable end. Remainder plastered, with some colourwashed brick casing to side wall of cross-wing. Remains of simple pargetting to gable end of wing. Plaintiled roof: clay tiles to front slope of main range and adjoining forward section of wing, concrete tiles to remainder. 2 storeys with attic in main range. Cross-wing has end jetty, 3 of the 4 supporting brackets original. Main range has 3 windows, late C19 casements: 3-light windows each side of porch and single-light windows to extreme left. The upper right window is a mid C20 replacement of standard type. All have cambered arches with hoodmoulds above. Lobby entrance has C19 2-storey gabled brick porch with pierced bargeboards. Doorcase has moulded jambs, entablature and panelled reveals; semi-glazed door. A hoodmoulded 2- light window above. Mid C20 single-paned standard windows to gable end of wing. Internal stack with rendered cross-axial shaft. A further internal stack in cross-wing. Interior. Oldest section is front 3 bays of cross-wing: some plain first floor studding and irregular heavy ceiling joists in forwardmost room on ground floor. One solid tie beam brace to a former open truss: this tie beam has evidence for a crown-post but the roof is a C17 replacement with diminished butt purlins. To the rear are 2 mid C17 bays and a further bay of c.1700, all raised in height in C19 to accord with the front section. Ground floor ceilings in main range have chamfered cross-beams with C17 plasterwork. Room to left, now sub-divided, has Fleur-de-lys, foliage and flower motifs symmetrically arranged in each quarter. Right hand ceiling is plain, each division with a moulded border. One first floor room has a chamfered-joist ceiling; most of structure otherwise concealed. Roof has 2 rows of butt purlins with arched wind-bracing, probably ante-dating the roof over the C16 section. In the entrance addition, a straight stair with stick balusters, ramped and wreathed handrail and carved tread-ends.

Listing NGR: TM2148865255