Terley

Terley is a farmhouse, disused at the time of survey in 1986. It is probably an early 18th century rebuilding of an earlier house, with elements dating back to the 17th century. The exterior is cement-rendered cob on stone rubble footings, with a thatched roof featuring a plain ridge, gabled at the right end and hipped at the front of the left wing. Projecting stacks are situated at the rear right, to the right of the centre, at the rear left, and at the front of the wing. The building has an L-shaped plan, with the main range facing south and a crosswing to the left.

The interior detail, with the close proximity of the two stacks at the right end, suggests that this part of the building originates from a 17th century phase. The remainder of the house is likely an early 18th century rebuilding, reusing two 17th century windows. The axial stack may have been inserted in the old cross passage. The single-depth main range has a lobby entrance to the left, leading to an unheated rear service room, and two heated rooms to the right. The left-end crosswing is divided into two heated rooms, the front room being larger and grander, with an axial stair between them. The lobby entrance is notable with a staircase rising from it, providing access to both the first floor and three of the four ground floor rooms. Room functions are not entirely clear, though the front room in the wing appears to have been the best parlour and the right-hand room in the main range served as a kitchen.

The farmhouse has an asymmetrical 1:4 window front. The front door is in the main range, immediately to the right of the crosswing, with a slated porch canopy supported by a shaped timber bracket. The crosswing has 2- and 3-light casements with glazing bars, while the main range has 20th century fenestration, likely in enlarged embrasures. An exception is the 17th century 3-light ovolo-moulded timber mullioned window with square leaded panes above the front door, and a similar 17th century window on the first floor of the left return, lighting the stair.

Internally, all the ground floor rooms have chamfered ceiling beams, two of which have rudimentary run-out stops. The front room in the wing contains an 18th century timber chimneypiece with foliage carving. The right-hand room of the main range has a partly blocked fireplace, potentially concealing 17th century features. A doorway with a chamfered stopped lintel leads to a rounded recess adjacent to the chimneybreast of the middle room. The middle room fireplace has a 20th century grate, possibly concealing earlier features. 18th century joinery and a good 18th century chimneypiece survive on the first floor. The roof has apex pegged trusses, probably dating to the 18th century. The building is an interesting example of a transitional plan form, illustrating the integration of the principal entrance with the stair.