Dira Farmhouse

SS 80 NW SANDFORD

1/175 Dira Farmhouse 26.8.65 (formerly listed as Dira)

GV II

Large farmhouse. Early C17 with some late C17-early C18 improvements. Volcanic rubble with early C20 cement-render to front; rubble stacks, most topped with C19 brick; slate roof. E plan house facing south. Central through passage with 2- storey front porch; hall to left (west) with projecting rear lateral stack, parlour crosswing projecting forward with outer lateral stack and stairs and kitchen with gable-end stack in a rear block behind hall and parlour; service room to right (east) of passage with late C17 stack inserted in front corner by the passage, service cross wing projecting forward with stack in outer side wall and main block carried eastwards one room. All blocks are gable-ended. 2 storeys with now-disused attics. Symmetrical 9-window front to main block. 2:2:1:2:2 windows, left and right projecting gabled crosswings and central projecting gabled 2 storey porch. Wings of early C20 casements (to ground floor and attics) and sashes, all with small panes to upper lights and sashes with large panes below. 2 windows either side of porch and to each crosswing and single small attic casements under gables. C20 arch to porch and front door but early C17 oak doorframe with ovolo- moulded surround and unusual pyramid stops. Outer (east) side of service block and main block projection to right retain small 2-light early C17 oak window frames with ovolo-moulded mullions and hoodmoulds at first floor level. Rear elevation has 2 early C17 window apertures with hoodmoulds, both towards left end, the upper containing late C17-early Cl8 iron casement with leaded glass, the lower is a tiny light with an original chamfered oak surround. Late 017-early C18 rear passage doorway has solid bead-moulded frame. Early C17 attic window to rear stair and kitchen block has 3-light oak window with ovolo-moulded mullions. Hall stack has volcanic ashlar chimney shaft with moulded cap and large C19 brick-built conical chimney pot. Some good C17 detail inside but many features may be blocked or hidden by 019 or C20 plaster. 3-bay hall has flagged floor and late C17-early C18 moulded plaster cornice. Parlour and chamber above have incomplete early C17 ornamental plasterwork friezes; parlour frieze has shields with Pegasus supporters, and chamber above frieze with angels and Tudor roses on soffit of crossbeams. Rear block includes early C17 oak dog-leg stair with closed string, square newel posts with ball caps, high moulded handrail and large turned balusters. Service room to right of passage was upgraded in late C17 with provision of rear corridor, insertion of fireplace and new ceiling with moulded cornice and large bolection-rib oval in formerly central panel. Service crosswing has chamfered and step-stopped crossbeams. Early C17 roof of A-frame trusses with dovetail lap-jointed collars.

Listing NGR: SS8486805545