Collon Farmhouse

Collon Farmhouse is a farmhouse dating from the mid-18th century, with later extensions in the late 19th century and remodelling and restoration in the 1970s. It is constructed of rubblestone, with a stuccoed gable front, and has a low-pitched slate roof with gable ends and lower, lean-to roofs to the flanking wings. A large brick stack rises from the central ridge.

The symmetrical south gable front is set slightly forward, with flat bands at the first-floor cill and attic cill, though these are largely obscured by creeper. Lower wings continue the gable line with a break in the roof levels. The ground floor has two 12-pane sashes without horns, flanked by an inserted 20th-century part-glazed door within a 20th-century gabled porch on the left, and a barred wooden sash with horns under a slightly arched head and exposed sash box on the right. The first floor has two 12-pane sashes flanked by two circular lights opening around a central mullion with angled glazing bars. The attic has two 6-pane wooden sashes, one with a Crown bulls-eye pane. Circa mid-19th century barge boards are in the gable end. A mid-19th century extension with a catslide roof is set back on the left, with a later 20th-century extension adjoining it. On the right-hand side, the ground floor has been extended with two late 20th-century bay windows, above which are three 4-pane sashes. The rear originally had circular windows, which have now been removed.

The interior features a staircase with a heavy moulded rail, square newels with moulded caps, and turned balusters on square bases. There is also an imperial staircase to the attic. The ground floor has 4-panel doors with wide, heavy moulded doorcases. Fireplaces have been largely replaced. The roof is of late 18th-century King post truss construction.

Collon Farmhouse was a Barton Farm belonging to the Boconnoc Estate. A 1770 illustration by James Blackmore, belonging to the current owners, depicts the "Plan of Barton of Collon," showing the front elevation with close similarities to the existing appearance, with the exception of a pediment in place of the barge board in the gable end, slightly uneven roundels, and an additional window above the door on the left. It is believed that Thomas Pitt, 1st Baron Camelford (1737-93) was involved in the farmhouse's design, rather than his father. He was known to have patronised Soane and designed for Walpole. The farm buildings in the courtyard, marked on the plan, have been partially rebuilt. Remains of the north and south walls of a kitchen garden are located to the west of the house.