Dean'S Orchard

Dean's Orchard is a large detached house situated adjacent to the churchyard. The main block dates to 1708, with a significant extension built in 1756, and further additions made later on the north side. The front (south) elevation is constructed of good squared and coursed Doulting stone, incorporating some Chilmark stone for the quoins, while the rest of the building is primarily rubble. The roof is covered in plain tiles.

Originally a symmetrical three-bay, three-floor house with attics, the property was extended in the 18th century by a further three bays, also two floors high with attics, maintaining a continuous roofline. A lower, two-storey unit sits to the left. The garden front has, at ground floor, three horizontal glazing bar casements, each framed by keyed voussoirs, alongside a part-glazed door with a three-pane transom light, and two large twelve-pane sash windows also set within voussoirs and a keystone. Above, at the eaves, are two casements, a blocked painted opening, and three twelve-pane sashes. The intermediate level on the left has one casement and one twelve-pane sash, again with keyed voussoirs. Four hipped dormers are present; to the left there are blocked painted-on windows, a two-light casement, and a twelve-pane light. A two-storey, one-window service unit is on the far left and is rendered.

The rear elevation, which faces the churchyard, is of coursed rubble with scattered window openings. Ground floor features include two two-light casements, two small square lights serving the staircase, a two-light window with a transom, and a flat-roofed dormer. The lower unit to the far right has a two-light window at eaves, the majority of openings having concrete lintels. A plank door is set within a plain frame. There is a large external brick stack with a shaft rising to the gable on the left side, and three ridge stacks. The exterior of the original 18th-century building is largely concealed by later additions that sweep down or lean onto the side.

Internally, a cross passage on the south side leads to a fielded six-panel door, likely a principal entrance before the addition of a later corridor and lean-to. Numerous fielded panel, painted doors are present, along with shutters in a high room to the right, which also features a chair rail and decorative cornice. Two rooms to the left have lower ceilings and small, rough, chamfered beams. The far room has two recessed arches with cambered brick dressings, possibly originally external openings. The date 1756 is scratched into the plaster on the first floor. A two-light opening with lath and plaster is found between the early and later sections. A pegged, two-purlin double collar roof is located in the 1708 section; the intermediate gable wall retains an internal two-light window, and a further two-light window at first floor is also now internal.

The property’s name arises from a 1280 grant of land including a corn mill by Edmund, son of the Earl of Cornwall, to the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury. It remained with the Ecclesiastical Commissioners until 1969.