Ferncott Sarum

KENNERLEIGH KENNERLEIGH SS 80 NW 6/53 Ferncott and Sarum - GV II

2 adjoining houses, formerly 3 cottages and originally a farmhouse. Probably a C16 core, much rebuilt when divided into cottages in late C17 - early C18, rearranged to 2 houses and modernised circa 1975-80. Plastered cob on rubble footings; rubble stacks topped with C20 brick; thatched roof. Interpretation of the development of these 2 houses is now not easy. Together they apparently form a 3-room-and-through- passage plan house facing west - with the original service room on right (south) end and with 2 rooms later added onto inner room. Now Sarum occupies the original hall, passage and inner room to right making a 2-room house with rear of passage occupied by C20 stairs. Ferncott on the left now comprises a 2-room cottage with circa 1975- 80 stair rises against rear wall and both extension rooms joined by demolition of party wall. Rear lateral stacks to inner room (Sarum) and on first extension to inner room (Ferncott), and former hall stack projecting ostentatiously from front (Sarum). 2 storeys. Overall 6-window front of late C19 and C20 casements with glazing bars and one small C18 3-light window at first floor level over the door to Sarum and right of the front stack. It has flat-faced mullions, central casement and contains small rectangular panes of leaded glass. Late C19-early C20 door to Sarum to right of stack and C20 door to Ferncott at left end of main block. The extensions at left end are both recessed slightly from main front. Roof is half-hipped to right and gable-ended to left. Interior shows mostly late C17-early C18 features. Main internal divisions are full height cob crosswalls. The putative former service room (at right end of Sarum) has chamfered axial beam with straight cut stops and restored rubble fireplace, its oak lintel is chamfered with worn stops. The hall (in Sarum) has an unstopped chamfered axial beam. The fireplace was reduced in width probably in late C18 by filling left side and including a cloam oven. These alterations have obscured the stops either end of chamfered oak lintel. The former inner room (now Ferncott) has renewed ceilings. The fireplace in late C17-early C18 extension has been renovated, its oak lintel is chamfered with straight cut stops. Stairs of circa 1975-80 apparently replacing earlier staircase which was lit by tiny window, now blocked. Right end room has been converted from former barn open to roof with C19 A- frame truss. Rest of roof probably late C17-early C18 A-frame trusses throughout.

Listing NGR: SS8201407410