1-4, Buller Square

The buildings at 1-4 Buller Square consist of two ranges of houses, probably originating in the late 16th century or earlier, although they have been significantly altered in the early 19th century with further changes in the 20th century. The walls are roughcast, likely cob, and feature thatched roofs with plain ridges. The rear of the buildings includes lateral and axial brick chimney stacks. The layout is a courtyard design, with the southern range serving as a barn associated with 27 Downeshead Lane. Numbers 2 and 3 have rear right-hand wings, while number 4 has a 20th-century lean-to at the rear.

The east-facing front has a 1:2:1 window arrangement. The windows are mostly 20th-century timber casements in enlarged openings. Number 1’s eaves thatch is raised over the first-floor window. Number 3 has a 20th-century half-glazed door and one ground and one first-floor window. Number 2 has a 19th-century panelled front door with glazed upper panels, and one ground and two first-floor windows. Number 4 has a 20th-century front door and three ground-floor and four first-floor windows, all with small panes and concrete architraves. Leaded casement windows previously noted in the 1972 list description have been removed. The courtyard is paved with pitched stone.

Inside number 1, the ground floor has fireplaces and carpentry likely dating from the 1930s or 40s, along with a winding staircase. The first floor features wide elm floorboards. A thinning of the wall around the front window suggests a possible former loft doorway and a previous agricultural use. The roof contains a side-pegged jointed cruck truss at the left end wall, with upper portions cut off when the stack was inserted. Original purlins extend to the right end wall. A later replacement truss exists, and the roof pitch has been reduced towards the rear with new rafters. Number 2 features a long, chamfered, axial ceiling beam on the ground floor and a likely 18th-century staircase. The roof trusses here are probably A-frame and date to the 19th century. Number 3 has a long chamfered axial beam on the ground floor and a fireplace that has been reduced in size. Number 4’s wing has chamfered step-stopped cross beams and exposed joists, although the first floor was not inspected.