Coombe Farmhouse

LEWANNICK POLYPHANT SX 28 SE 2/63 Coombe Farmhouse 16.3.89 GV II

Farmhouse. 1744 for William Coombe, (datestone) probably with earlier origins. Rendered stone rubble. Rag slate roof with gable ends. Stone rubble end stacks and two stone rubble axial stacks. Plan: The original plan is uncertain. Although the house has a datestone 1744 and there is documentary evidence stating that W. Coombe built the house in 1744 (information from owners), it is possible that the house has earlier origins. The unusual arrangement is probably the result of remodelling and rebuilding. The house has a 4 room and lobby entrance plan, the entrance to right of centre with lower end to right, heated by end stack, hall to left heated by an axial stack, and large inner room beyond heated by an end stack. The thick cross wall between the hall and inner room contains the flue of the chamber fireplace. The front elevation is rendered but the rear elevation shows several straight joints; it is possible that the house originally had a 2-room and through passage plan, the lower end rebuilt in the C18. The hall would have been heated as now by an axial stack, which would have backed onto a passage, the position of which would correspond with the existing back door. The internal details and straight joint on the rear below the back door would suggest the lower end was rebuilt in the C18. There is a circa later C17 stair turret which was probably added to the rear of the hall. The purpose of the blocked openings on the front and rear wall of the hall are uncertain although, on the front, it would appear that there was a second entrance close to the fireplace. The large inner room may be an C18 extension. There is a C19 outbuilding on the left hand end and the C19 one-room plan extension on right was reduced to a single storey in the C20. Exterior: Two storeys. Asymmetrical 4-window front. Entrance to right of centre with C19 6-panel door. The chamfered granite lintel above has been reset and the ogee stop on left does not correspond with the jambs. C19 16-pane sash to right and blocked possibly door opening to left with C19 16-pane sash beyond with dressed key block and datestone 1744 above. C20 2-light casement lighting inner room. First WC floor with four 16-pane sashes, several replaced in C20. Interior: Hall fireplace has chamfered granite lintel with roughly cut granite jambs. Chamfered floor joists with run-out stops. Remains of circa C18 hall bench on front wall. Stone treads to stair in turret to rear. Inner room has C20 grate and plastered ceilings. Lower end has roughly cut lintel to fireplace and retains C19 Cornish range. Chamfered beams. The roof structure was not accessible. A full inspection of the roof may help date this house more accurately and provide further information on the development of the plan.

Listing NGR: SX2626482016