Forecourt And Rear Yard Walls, Steps And Mounting Block South East Of Methleigh Farmhouse

The forecourt and rear yard walls, steps, and mounting block located southeast of Methleigh Farmhouse date from the 18th century and mid-19th century. They are constructed of rubble with granite dressings. The 18th-century steps feature a moulded edge, and the top step of the mounting block is similar. The front wall and the wall at right angles to the rear of the courtyard have square-edged copings. In the rear courtyard, there is a water trough and scantle slate coping on the tall wall to the left. The forecourt is rectangular, while the rear courtyard is irregular and cobbled, featuring a round central pond. A central gateway leads to the forecourt, approached by four semicircular steps and one straight step, with a five-step mounting block to the right. The tall right-hand wall of the rear courtyard contains numerous nesting boxes. The water trough was originally supplied by a complex labyrinth of underground channels at Methleigh, which are connected to the mill leat. Additionally, there is another watering place in the retaining wall in front of the wing of the house. The water supply system at Methleigh, which serves the mill, farm buildings, house, and gardens, is a significant achievement in planning and engineering, likely the most complex of its kind in Cornwall.