Rectory Farmhouse

Rectory Farmhouse

Farmhouse, now house. The building originates from the mid 15th century but incorporates mixed features from later alterations, a late 18th or early 19th century addition to the right, and some 20th century changes. It is constructed of sandstone rubble with limestone dressings, with a double Roman tiled roof and brick gable stack to the left, a ridge stack to the right (formerly a gable), and a pantiled roof to the right. The plan is a through passage type.

The main front is 2 storeys and 5 bays, featuring heavy long and short sandstone quoins with a straight joint marking the addition to the right. The ground floor contains, from left to right: a 6-light wooden mullion and transom window with timber lintel and hood mould; two stone mullion and transom windows with 4-centred arched heads and hood moulds; a framed 2-panelled studded door with flat head and moulded stone surround; and two further stone mullion and transom windows that are hollow-chamfered beneath a continuous hood mould.

The first floor displays a wooden mullion and transom window, beneath which is an oblong freestone panel in a moulded frame divided vertically into two compartments, each containing a carved heraldic shield. One shield bears the arms of Bishop Bekynton, with carved heads positioned at the angles. To the right is a small stone mullion and transom window, followed by a similar 6-light window, and then two wooden mullion and transom windows—the leftmost of which is ovolo-moulded. All first floor windows are set under the eaves.

The addition to the right features a stone 4-centred arched doorway that is now blocked, with a 2-light 20th century window inserted into it, and a small metal-framed light set in a chamfered stone surround. The first floor of the addition has a 2-light multi-pane casement with a segmental head.

The right return has a 2-light casement with timber lintel at ground floor level, and a similar casement at first floor with a segmental head. The line of a former lower roof is visible on this elevation, and four limestone quoins appear on the right and left at the upper level only. A lean-to with a door and 6-pane light is attached to the right, and a small single storey outhouse with a door featuring strap hinges is attached at an angle nearby.

The left return has an external stack rising to first floor level with offsets at the top. At first floor, there is a 2-light stone window with 4-centred arched lights that are hollow-chamfered beneath a hood mould, and to its left a 3-light similar window in a 4-centred arched opening with a hood mould that is partly cut away where the roof verge passes over it.

The rear is stepped in three sections. To the right is a French window and an attached greenhouse with a sash window and a weathered stack rising from the eaves. The rear through passage door is set in a 4-centred chamfered arch and is a half-glazed door, now blocked. A window above and to its left is also blocked. Attached to the rear left by a covered area is a former single storey bakehouse with a brick oven set in the corner.

Interior features include a 6-panelled door in a bolection-moulded frame to the right of the passage. Two rooms open to the left of the passage, with a 19th century staircase positioned against the rear wall. At first floor to the rear is a small room lit by a 3-light window in the gable end. A moulded axial beam continues the line of the hall wall and supports a roof truss.

The roof was not inspected at the time of survey in January 1985, but is reported to contain seven roof trusses, some with curved windbraces and arched-braces, and cambered collars.