Raphael Farmhouse

Raphael Farmhouse is a stone rubble farmhouse of early to mid 17th-century origin, extended in the mid 18th century and partly remodelled in the mid 19th century. It comprises two distinct ranges reflecting these different periods of development.

The 17th-century range is slate-hung with a cement-washed scantle slate roof with gable ends. Stone rubble chimney stacks with brick shafts rise at the gable ends on the front slope of the roof. This range originally followed a two-room and through passage plan, with the two rooms probably comprising a kitchen and parlour heated by end chimney stacks. The front entrance has since been blocked and the screen at the higher side of the passage removed. The 17th-century range may represent the surviving remains of a much larger house.

The 18th-century range is also of stone rubble with a high plinth and a higher slate roof with gable ends. Brick end chimney stacks heat this range. It contains an entrance hall with a stair to the rear and a further room at the lower end, with a store or dairy to the rear. The 17th-century range was extended to the rear in the early 19th century with a parallel two-storey range containing service rooms beneath a catslide roof. The ridge of the roof was raised and the pitch of the rear slope altered to accommodate these additions.

The front elevation is two storeys with a regular arrangement of windows. The 17th-century range at the higher end on the left displays two large 19th-century four-pane sashes flanking a central blocked entrance, with four further four-pane sashes on the first floor beneath segmental arches. The lower end comprises a two-storey range with an entrance on the left sheltered by a large stone Doric porch with a 19th-century panelled door, and a double sash to the right beneath a dressed stone arch. The first floor has two four-pane sashes beneath dressed stone arches.

The interior of the 17th-century range retains 19th-century fittings. A 19th-century stair has been inserted at the lower side of the through passage, and a slight plank and muntin screen survives to the lower side. The first floor contains several 18th-century two-panel doors, including one with fielded panelling. Circa 19th-century plank and muntin screens stand at the top of the stairs.

The early to mid 17th-century roof comprises five trusses with chamfered principals halved, lapped and pegged at the apex. Chamfered collars are joined with dovetailed notched lapped joints. Some collars have been replaced. The feet of the principals are boxed in. A 19th-century superstructure raising the ridge and spanning the rear outshut was added later.

The 18th-century range features unusual plasterwork. The central rose of the ceiling in the ground floor reception room is decorated with a sheath of corn, rake and flowers, with a floral trail in a circle surrounding it. The cornice is decorated with vine leaves and stylised acanthus leaves. A 19th-century stair with wreathed rail and square balusters serves the range. The first floor landing has a groin vaulted ceiling with simple plasterwork.

Raphael was a Domesday manor, held by Aelfeva prior to 1066. It subsequently passed to the Hywis family and then to the Colshills. In 1332 and 1374 licences were granted for an oratory and chapel respectively, and the field 'Chapel Meadow' still exists. Shortly after 1483 Raphael passed to the Copplestone family, who sold it to the Speccolts. When Sir Jonathan Phillips of Launceston, owner of Raphael Manor, died, the Phillips Estate Act of 1813 enabled property on the estate, previously held on life leases, to be sold freehold for the first time in 700 years.