Farnham House

Farnham House is a former farmhouse with origins dating back to the late 15th century, significantly altered in the mid-17th century, reduced in size probably during the 19th century, and with some 20th-century modernisation. The cellar has sandstone walls, mostly plastered. The timber framing above is largely concealed by red brick and peg-tile cladding, with an exposed and brick-nogged frame on the north side. Brick stacks with stone bases and brick chimney shafts are present.

The house follows an L-shaped plan. The main block, facing north, originally comprised two rooms, the larger of which features a prominent gable-end stack. The main doorway is now on the east end. A single-room-plan rear block projects at a right angle to the right, with a projecting gable-end stack. The rear block is believed to be the original medieval core of the house, while the main block is entirely 17th century. The number of flues from the main block’s stack indicates it was built to serve back-to-back fireplaces, suggesting the main block originally extended at least one room further west.

The house is two storeys high with attic space in the roof and a basement beneath the main block. A lean-to addition extends from the right end, and a single-storey extension is located behind the rear block.

The exterior presents a tall, irregular two-window front (three windows with the lean-to), with 20th-century casement windows featuring diamond leaded panes. Similar windows are found around the rest of the house. The roof is gable-ended and steps down slightly from right to left. A 20th-century plank door, with coverstrips, is situated within a gabled porch on plain posts, accessed via a terrace.

The interior features mainly 17th-century carpentry, with chamfered beams throughout, bearing scroll stops. Ground floor rooms contain small sandstone fireplaces with chamfered oak lintels. An old kitchen fireplace is found in the basement under the lean-to extension at the east end of the main block. Adjacent to this stack, at basement level, is a large brick oven of uncertain date. The roof of the main block is constructed with clasped side purlins. A good late medieval truss is located in the rear block where it adjoins the front block, built from large timbers. The tie beam incorporates large chamfered arch braces. While the roofspace is inaccessible, reused sooted common rafters suggest the medieval truss originally covered an open hall heated by an open hearth fire.