Gatehouse With Bridge And Stable Block Adjoining West Of Widhayes Farmhouse

ST 01 SW 8/181 5.4.66

UPLOWMAN Gatehouse with bridge and stable block adjoining west of Widhayes Farmhouse

GV II*

Gatehouse and stable block. Early C17, bridge added in mid C18, refurbished in the late C19. Plastered cob on stone rubble footings; gateway is red sandstone conglomerate rubble with purple-coloured volcanic ashlar detail; slate roof, probably thatch before the C19. Plan: gate house and stable block under the same roof. The building is alongside the lane on a roughly east-west axis with the gatehouse to east between the kitchen wing of the farmhouse and the stable block. The gatehouse faces north onto the lane and the stable block faces south onto the farmyard. The gatehouse has a room over the carriageway although this appears to be secondary; originally it was only a gateway. The stables have a hayloft over and was substantially rebuilt in the C19. In the mid C18 a stream was made to run along the outside of the farmhouse and farmyard and a small bridge was built across it from the lane to the gateway. Exterior: the gatehouse has a most impressive early C17 front. It contains a large round-headed arch with moulded surround and hoodmould. Above it is a stone plaque with moulded frame. Any inscription on it has since worn off. It is gabled with ashlar coping. The gateway still contains the original oak door; a fine piece of craftsmanship. It contains a central round-headed wicket door. For the most part it is decorated with rows of regular studded rusticated oak blocks with chamfered edges. The main door has a shell head and the head of the wicket has a lozenge- shaped plaque in its head. It is complete with original wrought-iron fittings. In front is the bridge over the stream; a small segmental arch with plain parapet each side and pitched cobble floor. The lane side of the stable block is blind. The farmyard front has 2 double doorways each with a casement window with glazing bars alongside to right. At hayloft level there are 3 more casements and a loading hatch. Under the eaves are 2 rows of pigeon holes above a slate ledge. These are carried round the left (west) end under the eaves of the hipped roof. On the inside of the carriageway there is a small early C17 studded oak door. Interior: the stables has plain C19 crossbeams and queen strut truss roof. The C19 stalls still survive. This is an attractive building. The gateway with its original door is a remarkable survival. The owner possesses a good set of documents relating to the farmhouse including the bill for the erection of the bridge.

Listing NGR: ST0036914525