Manstone Old House

MANSTONE LANE 1. 1633 Manstone Old House SY 1289 6/18 12.10.51. II* 2. 2 storey Medieval house, rubble walls of mixed local stone, originally of hall type. For many years a farmhouse but now restored as private residence, the north west end no doubt extended at this time in similar material with wood mullioned casements. Gable end new slate roof. The south east gable end is original with saddlestone and at apex 2 very weathered, low roughly octagonal shaped chimney pots which are very pos- sibly Medieval as they relate to the solar at this end of the building. The solar windows are the earliest, probably C15, small with 2 cusped headed mullioned lights. Other windows later, stone mullioned with drip moulds over. The present front entrance has been restored but to the rear is a pointed arched doorway with corbel heads that might be older than C15. The front of the house has an external stone chimney with off- sets and a tablet with initials and date "HM 1389". It is very doubtful that the date is contemporary, though the house might be of that date. The tablet existed in this form nearly a 100 years ago. Possibly it should be 1589 and the chimney would be more of that date. The most impor- tant surviving internal feature is the solar on the 1st floor at the south east end of the house. This has 3 arched braced-collar trusses support- ing the roof with wind braces between purlins. The outer end wall retains the frame of four-centred chimney piece, and above to the right, inserted in wall, is an ornamental capital with head leaf decoration. The inner end wall of room has tie beams and some of vertical intermediate timbers. Low pointed solid door in solid wood surround. In the ground floor room to right of entrance is another 4-centred chimney piece frame. The room also has pm"tition wall and beamed ceiling. The former hall, now partitioned off from staircase, also has similar chimney piece and restored settle with linen fold panelling. The house is now unfortunately hemmed in by a housing estate.

Listing NGR: SY1264489416