Batten'S

ST 11 SE 6/1

CLAYHIDON Batten's

II

Detached house, formerly a farmhouse. Late C16 or early C17 with later additions. Random rubble chert; hipped thatched roof. Originally a 3 room, through-passage plan house, the service end to the left of the passage, with a wing to the rear of the inner room. At some point the passage was blocked by the insertion of a massive stack; the bake oven bulge occupies the site of the rear door to the passage and the hall fireplace is set diagonally across the rear left-hand corner of the room - a most unusual arrangement. The inner room gable end has also been rebuilt in the form of a curve. Service end heated by a fireplace backing onto the hall fireplace but placed at a conventional alignment; end stack to rear wing. Both stacks here brick shafts. The alterations may date from the late C18 (datestones of 1785 and 1790 are set in the gable walls of the wing and main range (left) respectively. Winder stair placed to the hall side of front entrance. 2 storeys. Exterior Front: 3 window range, with C20 windows to first floor tucked up high under the eaves. Large conservatory stands forward of the service end and main entrance. C20 casement window and French window to hall and inner room respectively. Right-hand end elevation with C20 windows, and what is possibly a late C17 4-light casement window with pegged frame. Rear leanto; late C20 windows. Hall rear wall under a peaked eaves line. Interior: plank and muntin screen between hall and inner room chamfered and stopped muntins, unmitred, with doorway with cranked lintel. Hall ceiling cross beam chamfered with hollow step stops. There are a substantial number of C17 joinery features; fielded panelled doors to rooms and cupboards with HL hinges. The door dividing the main range from the wing at first floor level has a contemporary lock which can be operated from the house side only, possibly dividing the family's sleeping quarters from those of the servants or labourers. One window with escutcheon catch. Also some late C18 or early C19 joinery, including a row of hat pegs. Roof: 3 jointed cruck trusses, the collars set high with half dovetails.

Listing NGR: ST1594912435