West Welland Farmhouse

West Welland Farmhouse is a farmhouse with origins possibly in the 17th century or earlier, with a later 17th or early 18th century one-room plan addition at the left (west) end. The exterior is of colourwashed rendered cob and stone, with an asbestos slate roof, gabled at the ends, which was thatched until at least the 1960s. The farmhouse features a projecting stack on the right end, a rear right lateral stack, and a left end stack.

The arrangement of the interior follows a single-depth plan, facing south, with four rooms. There is an entrance into a passage between the two right-end rooms, leading to a wide, straight run of stairs. A thick cross wall between the two left-hand rooms, and a hip in the roof structure indicate that the left-hand kitchen, with late 17th/early 18th century features, is an addition. The three right-hand rooms may have originated as a three-room plan with a through or cross passage, with the lower end to the right and the hall heated by the rear lateral stack, before a later stair was inserted in the passage. The inner room has been subdivided axially and, although there are no exposed carpentry details or open fireplaces, evidence of the dating may survive behind the plaster.

The exterior of the farmhouse is long and asymmetrical, with a five-window front. A 19th or 20th century gabled porch includes a 19th century panelled front door positioned to the right of centre, along with 19th century small-pane three-light timber casement windows. A second door provides direct access to the left-end kitchen; a rear left outshut is also present.

The two right-hand rooms have plastered-over crossbeams and 1950s chimney pieces, potentially concealing 17th century carpentry. The stair spans the full width of the entrance passage and features a good pair of 18th century Chinese Chippendale dog gates with HL hinges at the bottom, and a 19th century stair window with margin glazing and coloured glass. The kitchen at the left end has chamfered crossbeam with run-out stops and a partly-blocked large open fireplace, which includes a bread oven and a timber lintel concealed behind wall plaster. The roof was not inspected but may contain a pre-18th century structure, as suggested by the survival of a hipped end. The building is considered an attractive traditional farmhouse.