Downrew Farmhouse

Farmhouse. The core of the building is older, but it was significantly remodelled in 1628. The right side is constructed from stone rubble to the first floor, with cob above, while the left side is stone built and rendered. The slate roof is raised on the right side, featuring a gable end brick stack and a stone rubble axial stack with a drip and brick shaft, backing onto a passage. Originally a three-cell plan with a through-passage, the through-passage has now been infilled with a rear access point. A lower section may have once been used as a shippon. A stair turret is located to the rear of the hall, enclosed within a 1628, right-angled, two-storied rear extension (a dated beam from this period is now covered).

The farmhouse has two storeys with access to an attic storey. There are five windows across the front. Most of the windows are 20th century replacements, consisting of 2-light casements, except for the hall and the room above, which have 3-light windows. A gabled porch fronts the through-passage doorway.

Inside, the high hall ceiling displays three stop-chamfered spine beams with run-out stops. A plank and muntin screen is present at the upper end of the hall, featuring unusually wide planks in six sections, with an inserted doorway and a section reportedly papered over on the left side. Two small 4-paned windows have been inserted at the right end of the screen. A dias settle remains in situ, with a carved bench end. A similar screen is believed to survive behind the current partition in the lower end. Two doors, each with two large fielded panels, lead to the first-floor rooms. Two 17th century trusses are above the raised upper end, featuring straight principals and two tiers of threaded purlins. Two trusses are also above the lower end, of unusual construction: the principals are straight at the feet but curve steeply inwards towards the apex where they meet and are peg-jointed together. These may be reused cruck blades with short curved feet that have been reversed. A 20th century roof structure has been superimposed.