Great Foldhay Farmhouse

ZEAL MONACHORUM SS 70 SW 4/64 Great Foldhay Farmhouse - II

Farmhouse. Rear includes late C16 - early C17 work; rearranged, altered and extended circa 1830. Plastered cob and stone rubble; stone rubble stacks with C19 brick chimney shafts; corrugated asbestos roof (said to have been thatch before). Double depth plan house facing south. The front range is entirely circa 1830 work and comprises a room with end stack either side of large central entrance hall and stairway. The rear range appears to comprise hall, passage and service room of a late C16-early C17 or earlier 3-room-and-through-passage plan house. The inner room was demolished and the rooms relegated to service use when the front range was added circa 1830. The hall has projecting rear lateral stack with added C19 oven projection. 2 storeys. Symmetrical 3-window front of circa 1830, comprising outer 16-pane sashes and central first floor 12-pane sash over front door; panelled double doors with classical doorcase missing its entablature. Both roofs are half-hipped each end. Most windows on sides and rear are original C19. Interior is largely result of C19 refurbishment and much of its circa 1830 joinery is preserved including an open string stair with stick balusters and ramped mahogany handrail. The rear block however shows some late C16 - early C17 features. The hall fireplace is blocked but the front of a large late C16-early C17 fireplace shows. Its sides are ashlar stone (painted over) and the lintel is oak; it has an ovolo-moulded surround. The passage has a stone flagged floor. There are 2 C17 oak panelled doors with scratch-mouldings and original iron catches; they may be reset. It is not clear whether other late C16 or C17 features remain hidden behind C19 plaster. Both parallel roofs are 6 bays with C19 king post trusses reusing a number of C16 chamfered and smoke-blackened purlins. This remains an interesting house despite the fragmentary survival of the older range.

Listing NGR: SS7084404189