Smuggler'S Den Inn

Smuggler's Den Inn

Farmhouse, now inn. Built circa early 17th century, with additions dating from circa mid to late 17th century. The building underwent alterations in the 19th century and further alterations and additions in the 20th century. Constructed of stone rubble and cob, rendered and painted, with a thatched roof featuring gable ends.

The chimneys are characteristic of the period: gable end stacks with rubble shafts and slate weathering are found at both front wings, whilst two rear lateral stacks occupy gable end positions with similar construction.

The original plan appears to have been of three rooms, with the entrance leading directly into a central room which appears never to have had heating. The rooms to the right and left were both heated from rear lateral stacks, with the left room functioning as the kitchen. During the mid to late 17th century, a one-room addition was made to the front right and left, each heated from a front gable end stack, resulting in a nearly symmetrical U-shaped plan. Substantial 20th-century additions have been made along the left side and across the rear.

The exterior presents a nearly symmetrical front of two storeys, with two bays to the centre and two-storey wings projecting to right and left. The centre contains a 20th-century glazed door and French window at ground floor, with two 20th-century two-light six-pane casements at first floor. The left wing has a two-light four-pane casement with timber lintel at ground floor and two similar casements at first floor, with the front gable end blank. The right wing has two 20th-century glazed doors at ground floor and a 20th-century two-light six-pane casement at first floor; the front gable end has a two-light six-pane casement at first floor to the left. At the right side, the wing contains a 20th-century glazed door at first floor level. The gable end of the main range has a 20th-century two-light four-pane casement at first floor. The left side features a 20th-century single-storey addition extending the full length at ground floor level, with three 20th-century two-light casements at first floor; the gable end to left has a glazed door at ground floor and a 19th-century 16-pane sash at first floor. A small single-storey 19th-century wing with scantle slate roof and ridge tiles carries four-pane sash windows. A large single-storey 20th-century addition, rendered with asbestos slate roof, is attached to the rear right and conceals the remainder of the rear elevation.

The interior has been substantially altered and was not fully accessible at the time of survey in October 1987. At ground floor, the room to the left in the main range and the room in the front wing feature continuous chamfered ceiling beams. The room to the left in the main range has a rear fireplace with a large wooden lintel chamfered with run-out stops; cloam ovens to right and left remain, as does a pot jack. At the left end is a window concealed by external additions—a horizontal sliding sash with six panes to each light, dating from the 19th century, with a chamfered timber lintel. The wooden lintel from the fireplace at the front gable end to the left remains in place. The central room in the main range shows no evidence of a fireplace or passage, but retains chamfered ceiling beams. The room to the right in the main range also has chamfered beams, a rear fireplace with wooden lintel and oven, probably inserted at a later date. The room in the front right wing is ceiled.

This house displays an unusual plan. Further internal inspection may provide additional evidence for the development of the building and reveal other 17th-century features at first floor level and early roof trusses.