Eling Farmhouse

Eling Farmhouse is a farmhouse likely dating from 1825, though certainly built before 1842, with late 19th-century alterations. It stands in Hampstead Norreys as part of a remarkably complete 19th-century farm complex.

The building is constructed of red and vitrified bricks laid in Flemish bond, with some areas of the front (east) elevation in header bond and red brick dressings to windows. The main house has a slate roof, while the wing has a clay tile roof.

The house is two storeys high on a rectangular plan aligned east to west. It presents symmetrical front and rear elevations of three bays, with side elevations of four bays. An L-shaped single-storey wing, probably a former dairy, extends from the southwest side, with a later 20th-century extension at its west end. Internally, the westernmost bay contains a service area and kitchens adjacent to the yard. The front and rear entrances are connected by a central axial passage with a straight-flight staircase on the north side.

The exterior features windows with cambered arches, predominantly 6-over-6 pane timber sashes, though some are later replacements. A brick band runs between storeys. The hipped roof has sprocketed eaves that are boxed with timber brackets. Above the westernmost bay, the roof has been slightly raised and has a diminutive hip at the junction with the main roof.

The handsome front (east) elevation displays a timber Gothic porch and glazed 6-panelled door. Upper floor outer windows are slightly broader than those below, with 8-over-8 panes. The rear (west) elevation has a round-arched entrance with a Y-tracery fanlight. Segmental headed windows with casements occupy the ground floor. The upper floor features an oeil-de-boeuf window to the left of the central window and a narrow corbelled chimney stack on the left-hand side, both late additions. Late 19th-century dormers with casement windows are present. The south elevation is less regular and has been altered, with a casement window to the ground floor, a small entrance to its left, and a blind window at the end of the upper floor's north bay. The former dairy has planked doors and modern timber casements.

Inside, the plan form is generally well preserved. Early to mid-19th-century features include a reeded arch in the corridor, the main staircase and landing balustrade with simple square balusters and turned newel posts, chimneypieces, window shutters, and a reeded cornice in a ground floor room. A door made from re-used 17th-century plank-and-studwork leads from the ground floor to the cellar. Late 19th-century alterations include chimneypieces and a flight of stairs leading to the attic on the west side of the landing. The former dairy incorporates a re-used heavy jowelled post and beam, probably from the 17th century.

Early to mid-19th-century wrought-iron railings enclose the yard on the north side. To the west of the house stands a late 19th-century former coal-store and wash-house, a single-storey structure with a pitched roof, constructed in red brick with planked doors.

Eling Farm is thought to have existed for at least 500 years. The previous farmhouse was demolished in 1825. The buildings shown on the 1842 tithe map include the present farmhouse, stables to the northeast, and a large barn to the north.