West Hill Farmhouse

CHAWLEIGH SS 71 SW 2/36 West Hill Farmhouse - GV II Farmhouse. C17, possibly earlier core, with late C17 improvements, C19 and early C20 modernisations. Plastered cob on rubble footings; stone rubble or cob stacks topped with C20 brick; thatch roof. House facing south-east has basic 3-room-and-through-passage-plan layout with former inner room at right (north-east) end. Larger former service end room has probably been extended. Both former service and inner rooms have projecting end stacks, the latter disused. Hall has projecting rear lateral stack with probably secondary oven projection. Rear of passage now blocked by late C17 stair. 2 storeys. Irregular 6-window front of late C19 and C20 casements with glazing bars, and, over passage door a late C18 - early C19 3-light casement which includes rectangular panes of leaded glass. Door below is C20 and secondary door to inner room towards right end is behind C20 flat-roofed and glass-sided porch. Roof is gable-ended to left and half-hipped to right. Interior shows mostly result of C19 and early C20 modernisations but layout suggests that original features probably survive behind later plasterwork. For instance all fireplaces are blocked by C20 chimney-pieces. Former hall however has exposed early or mid C17 crossbeams with richly-moulded soffits and unusual fin- shaped stops. The upper end crossbeam is positioned well in from the crosswall which suggests that the chamber over the inner room jettied into a once open hall. Rear of former passage is now blocked by a stair, straight flight to half-landing then turning both ways along rear wall. It still has a very fine late C17 dog gate containing 2 tiers of turned balusters. Roof was inaccessible at time of survey but the farmer claims it to be made up of A-frame trusses pegged lap-jointed collars throughout and part of wall plate is exposed externally under eaves towards right end. It is probably late C17.

Listing NGR: SS7005911041