The Old Forge

The Old Forge is a house, originally a house and forge, now used as a house and shop. The core of the building dates from the early to mid 16th century, with alterations made in 1699 and the 19th century. A forge was likely added in the 19th century. The house is timber-framed, with the front elevation constructed of red brick in a Flemish bond pattern. The right gable end of the house is rendered. The roof is covered with plain tiles, and features a hipped design with gablets. The house has four timber-framed bays, incorporating a hall with two bays of unequal length, one of which may have been a smoke-bay. A jetty extends from the left gable end, and exposed posts are visible on the gable ends. A small central gable, decorated with moulded and patterned bargeboards and a pendant, is dated 1699. The windows are irregular in arrangement, consisting of four leaded casements: one two-light window at each end, one three-light window beneath the central gable, and a small single-light window beneath the rear stack. A ribbed door with a segmental head is located beneath this stack. The forge, adjoining the right gable end of the house towards the rear, is constructed of red brick with a flint gable end on the right, and has a plain tile roof, half-hipped to the right. A small red brick ridge stack is set at an angle towards the left, and two windows flank a boarded door, all with segmental heads. A single-storey lean-to extends from the angle between the house and the forge. Inside, original timber framing is exposed, along with plain crown posts. A 17th-century newel staircase is situated between the stack and the door.