Semaphore Farm and Boundary Stones

Semaphore Farm and Boundary Stones is a telegraph house, now a small dwelling, dating back to 1829. It was constructed as part of a semaphore telegraph line developed by Sir Home Riggs Popham, extending westwards towards Plymouth and branching from the London to Portsmouth route at Chatley Heath (Surrey). The building comprises a square, single-story dwelling above a semi-basement, with two windows on three elevations; one elevation is blank, and there are basement windows to the east and west within oval surrounds. A smaller rectangular block, formerly the operations room, is located centrally, also above a semi-basement, and has a window on each face, although the north window only remains. Sashes are set in reveals. Plain entrances are located in the angles between the two blocks, approached by steps, with a cellar door beside the dwelling's entrance. The dwelling has a hipped roof with a painted brick stack, while the operations wing also has a hipped roof. The building has undergone little alteration. Within the curtilage are two small stone pillars, one bearing a government mark, which define the original boundary of the site.