Lower Comberoy Farmhouse

Farmhouse. The core of the building dates back to the 16th century, or possibly earlier, with later additions and alterations. It is constructed of cob, with a stone plinth, and has rendered walls under a gabled slate roof. Originally planned as a 3-room farmhouse with a through-passage, the lower end (facing away from the farmyard) retains evidence of its medieval smoke-blackened roof. A large external stack, positioned laterally to the rear and featuring an oven bulge, now serves to heat the lower end, along with axial stacks at the higher end of the main room and at the parlour end, all with brick shafts. A recessed 19th-century extension adjoins the lower end. The farmhouse is two storeys high throughout. The front elevation has irregular window placement, with five 2-light timber casement windows above, each with 6 panes per light and lintels at eaves level. A 2-light and a 4-light window, also with 6 panes per light and dating to the 19th century, are positioned beneath a pantiled open porch to the left of the front door. The rear elevation is dominated by the large lateral stack and oven bulge. Two entrances to the left of the stack are accessed by external steps, both sheltered by canopies supported by console brackets. The right-hand doorway, leading to the passage, has a planked door with a bead-moulded jamb and lintel. The rear has scattered fenestration: four 2-light windows above, two and three-light windows below—all timber casements from the 19th and 20th centuries. A 19th-century extension to the right has a single 2-light window above and a doorway approached by steps. Internally, the fireplace in the lower end has been blocked. There are three cross beams; the central one is chamfered with run-out stops. The main room (hall) retains a single unchamfered axial beam. The parlour has two axial beams, also chamfered with run-out stops. The front window in the parlour has a shallow 19th-century window arch, and the rear window has internal panelled shutters. The roof is a 3-bay medieval structure featuring two principals with raised crucks, and a hip cruck, all showing evidence of smoke-blackening. The roof principals differ in design; the higher-end truss is closed with yoked and side-pegged blades at the apex, while the lower-end truss is side-pegged and morticed with a cambered collar. A ridge piece and trenched purlins are also present. The property was formerly known as “Lower Comberoy.”