Ashridge Farmhouse

Ashridge Farmhouse is a late 16th-century farmhouse, with extensions added in the late 19th century. It is constructed of timber framing, with some areas tile-hung, brick, and weatherboarded, and has an old tile roof with a cross gable. The layout follows a four-cell plan, with further extensions to the north-east, and incorporates a cellar and attics.

A prominent feature is the large, central chimney with four octagonal brick shafts, moulded star-shaped brick caps, and weathered coping on a square stack. Each gable has a three-light leaded casement window, decreasing in size on each floor, with a small opening light in the upper centre. The road-facing front is double-gabled, featuring moulded bargeboards. The ground floor is rendered, while the upper section is weatherboarded. A projecting, closed, gabled porch is centrally located, rendered and containing a planked door in a moulded frame, which is a replica of the original. A small three-light overlight is above the door.

The interior is largely unaltered, featuring a newel staircase extending throughout the building. Most doors are original, set within heavy, moulded, and chamfered frames. The dining room contains a chalk fireplace with a Tudor arch in a square head, a former bread oven on the right, and a small spice cupboard with its original door and hinges on the left. The drawing room has a chalk fireplace with a flat head, moulded and carved with ball flower ornamentation. The fireplace bears dates on each jamb of 1575, along with an inscription reading ‘16RS.PS58RP.’ a spice cupboard with a door is on the right. The chimney piece features fluted pilasters and a panelled overmantel. The remainder of the drawing room is characterised by 17th-century panelling and a moulded cornice. A stained glass window facing south displays four diamond leads with fleur-de-lys on each pane, with the initials ‘1.P’ in the top pane and the date ‘1576’ in the bottom pane. The upper floors retain several original doors in moulded frames and fireplaces.