Old Thatch

House. Dating from the 17th century, with 20th-century alterations and additions. The house is timber-framed with wattle and daub infill, some of which has been replaced with painted brick, and further additions are of painted brick. It has a hipped thatch roof with brick stacks. The building follows a lobby-entry plan and comprises one storey with a partial attic, over four bays, the bay on the left being a 20th-century addition, and a small further addition at the right end. A painted plinth is present. The entrance, set between bays 3 and 4, features a 20th-century thatched porch with a wooden door and leaded side-lights. The windows are 20th-century wooden windows, of 2 or 3 lights, with leaded casements. Three gabled dormers are visible on bays 2 and 3. Ridge stacks are located between bays 1 and 2, and 3 and 4, in line with the porch. The rear elevation has exposed timber-framing, showing posts and some horizontal studs, with 1- and 2-light windows.

Inside, bays 2 to 4 display sole-plates, posts with straight and arch braces to wall plates, and studs; square-panelling is found in the right bay. Bays 2 and 3 feature stop-chamfered spine-beams. Bay 3 also has chamfered joists and a large brick fireplace with a stop-chamfered timber bressumer and brick hearth. A central attic partition has an old board door.

The roof structure includes straight wind braces, clasped purlins, and under-ceiling throughout except over the right bay, which exhibits crude rafters and ridge-pole, and a partly lime-washed square-panelled partition wall (at the front). The end truss contains a tie-beam supporting 3 posts.

This 17th-century timber-framed cottage retains much of its original character.