Willows

YATELEY

1687/0/10063 DARBY GREEN ROAD 18-OCT-05 Willows

II

House, formerly a farmhouse. C17 or earlier, remodelled in 1930s in vernacular revival style.

MATERIALS: Timber frame (both original house and extensions); red brick; tile hanging; clay tile roof.

PLAN: 2 storeys. Original house encased within C20 extensions; three bays with largest bay to S, one room deep. Lobby-entry plan form with coupled chimney stacks between S and central bays and a single stack on the N end gable (now enclosed within C20 extension. C20 extensions to N, E and W; cross gables to E and W sides. Entrance and staircase now in extension on E side.

EXTERIOR: Irregular composition of exposed timber framing infilled with brick nogging, some laid in herringbone pattern. Entrances to E and W elevation have C20 Tudor style doors with four centred arches and decorative iron hinges. Iron casement windows with rectangular leaded lights. Double-height transomed window to stair hall on E side. Pitched roofs with half hips to gables. Dormers to west side breaking through eaves.

INTERIOR: Sections of original outer walls and cross frames exposed at ground and first floor levels; square framing. Massive brick back-to-back chimney breasts between S and central rooms. End chimney breast of earlier building now incorporated within C20 extension. Stacks carry heavy spine beams bearing exposed joists. Roof not inspected; lower section of queen post truss visible below modern bedroom ceiling. Joinery mainly from C20 remodelling; oak Arts and Crafts style staircase with square newels; plank doors.

SUMMARY OF IMPORTANCE Of special interest as a C17 timber frame house retaining significant historic structure and plan form within later extensions. HISTORY: Map evidence indicates that the house was a farmhouse until the 1930s.