Swannaton Farmhouse

SS 80 NW SANDFORD SWANNATON LANE

1/275 Swannaton Farmhouse

II

Farmhouse. Early C16, late C16 and C17 improvements, modernised in C19. Roughcast cob on rubble footings; rubble stacks topped with C19 and C20 brick; slate roof (formerly thatch). L-shaped building. Gable-ended main block facing south has 3-room-and-through-passage plan with inner room at left (east) end. Late C16-early C17 rear block to inner room. Projecting end stacks to service and inner rooms, front projecting. Lateral stack to hall and end stack to rear block. 2 storeys. Irregular 4-window front of C20 replacement casements of various sizes, all with glazing bars. C19 6-panel door (the upper pair glazed) to passage to right of projecting hall stack. East (service end) stack has irregular patch high on outside which is said to be C17 oval date plaque with heraldic device but is now obscured by roughcast render. Interior is largely result of C19 modernisation when C16 and C17 structural and decorative features were hidden. The little that can be seen suggests a long structural history. 4-bay roof over hall and inner room is supported on side-pegged jointed cruck trusses, but extent of smoke-blackening cannot be ascertained due to limited access. Internal jetty: the chamber over the through passage jetties into lower end of hall but features are hidden. Inner room has inserted C16 axial beam, chamfered with runout stops, supported on an oak post with jowled head, and a C17 moulded plaster cornice. The inner room volcanic ashlar fireplace has C19 segmental brick arch replacing lintel. Rear block has chamfered and cut-diagonal stopped axial beam and C17 door frame with scroll stops. Well-preserved unmodernised farmhouse. Swannaton - the farmstead of swineherds - is mentioned in a charter of 997 (Devon SMR).

Listing NGR: SS8097905651