Pearce'S Farm

Pearce's Farm is a farmhouse with a core dating back to the 16th century, featuring additions and alterations from the 17th to the 19th centuries. It is constructed of plastered cob, and the original thatched gable-ended roof has been replaced with slates. The main structure follows a 3-cell plan with a through-passage, complemented by a back wing that creates an overall L-shaped layout. There are stone stacks at both ends, with the larger stack located at the left, or parlour, end. The building stands two storeys high and has a three-window range. The casements on the main front are all 20th century, but the arrangement of the windows is original, with the three ground-floor windows positioned close to the ground. Following the recent demolition of a lean-to at the back, two first-floor windows have been revealed, one of which retains its 18th-century leaded casements with 12 panes. The roof ridge is notably higher over the room to the right of the through passage. Inside, there are 19th-century king-post trusses throughout, except over the lower right-hand end, where two bays and two trusses with massive principals are halved, crossed, and pegged to support the ridge, featuring notched, lap-jointed collars. All purlins have been replaced. The hall ceiling includes an elm tree trunk that is chamfered with step-hollow stops. The parlour fireplace retains its Thorverton stone jambs, which are chamfered with step-stops and include a side oven on the left. The back wing features a massive, chamfered cross beam, with smaller cross joists that are decorated with scratch-moulding.