Sowell Farmhouse

Sowell Farmhouse is an early 16th-century farmhouse, derelict and partially in ruins at the time of a 1985 survey. It has undergone later modifications and additions. The farmhouse is constructed of rendered cob, with some stone on stone footings, and has a gable end corrugated asbestos roof to the main range, with slate to a cross wing and rear outshut. Originally a 3-room, through-passage plan house, the service end was open to the roof, featuring raised jointed cruck construction with timbers blackened by smoke throughout. The cruck principals are substantial and of high quality, suggesting an early date. Unstopped chamfered ceiling beams suggest the first floor may not have been inserted until the 17th century. The internal end stack heats the service end and the hall axial stack was rebuilt when the passage widened to accommodate a kitchen, having originally backed onto the passage. A winder stair is located to the rear of the hall; a 19th-century stair serves the rear of the service end. A small rear wing was added in the 17th century to the now ruinous inner room, and this end of the house was again extended and a cross wing added in the 19th century. The front elevation has an irregular 3-window range. The service end has no first-floor windows to the front. The passage has been widened to accommodate a kitchen and chamber above, both with 2-light casement windows. A 3-light casement window to the hall and inner room, and their respective chambers, are all 19th-century, except the window to the hall which is 17th-century, timber, with a cyma recta surround and ovolo jambs and mullions. The 19th-century cross wing has largely collapsed. The right-hand end wall of stone has 20th-century casement windows. The rear wing has a single 2-light window that may be early, and retains its internal shutters. Inside, a deeply chamfered axial ceiling beam remains in the hall, while another in the inner room has collapsed. The roof features 3 raised jointed crucks; the service end and passage consist of two bays, with the lower end truss replaced by crossed and pegged principals, probably when the end stack was inserted. The hall is of one bay, and the inner room likely also of one bay. The crucks are morticed and pegged at the apex (Alcock type F2), with cranked collars and 2 sets of trenched purlins which are finely halved and morticed. Some rafters and battening are smoke-blackened. The front door to the passage may be earlier, planked and studded with chamfered rails to the rear and strap hinges.