Hele Payne Farmhouse

BRADNINCH SS 90 SE 7/7 Hele Payne Farmhouse - - II* Farmhouse. C15 with later alterations. Cob, stone plinth, plastered under gabled- end wheat-reed thatched roof, and slate catslide over outshut to rear. The remains of the rear (lower end) wing under gabled-end slate roof. The main range represents the former Hall and parlour of a 3-room, cross passage plan house, and the C15 roof, smoke-blackened throughout, remains intact and in good condition. the lower end has been demolished, but the lower end wing with its large external end stack survives, and has been converted into a separate dwelling. External right-hand end stack to main range, and a former axial, now end stack, to left- hand; all stacks with brick shafts. 2 storeys throughout. Front: 3-window range; the wall to the right of porch slightly recessed. 1st floor: two 3-, and one 4-light C19 casement windows, the side lights fixed. Ground floor: two 4-light casement windows, that to the left with one pane per light but occupying original embrasure, that to the right, with glazing bars, in extended opening, both with side lights fixed. Lean-to slate-roofed porch, enclosed with 2 small single-light windows. Small 1st floor window to left, and C20 casement windows to right, of right-hand end stack. 5 C20 windows to outshut. Former lower end wing with C20 fenestration to front, but retaining a C19 4-light casement window to rear. Interior: right-hand (lower end room) with end fireplace, wooden lintel and Killerton stone jambs and back; and 2 deeply chamfered, unstopped cross beams. The parlour is jettied into the hall and supported at this point by a deeply chamfered, unstopped, bressumer; this jettying is reflected above by a 15" change in first-floor level. Hall with concealed fireplace and exposed beam above. Roof: 5 bays with 6 medieval trusses, all smoke-blackened, the Hall more heavily sooted than the parlour. The truss between hall and parlour closed, and lightly sooted on inner-side face. Principals morticed and side-pegged at apex, with trenched diagonal ridge-piece; collars with chamfered arched braces; 3 tiers of threaded purlins pegged to some rafters, the 2 lower tiers with windbraces. Many of the rafters are sooted. Although only 2 of the original 3 units of the medieval farmhouse survive, the roof is intact and of high quality.

Listing NGR: SS9916202853