Reeds And Hammets

KINGS NYMPTON KINGS NYMPTON SS 61 NE 3/165 Reeds and Hammets GV II Farmhouse. Probably early to mid C16, remodelled in C17, lower end altered probably in C19, with C20 alterations. Rendered stone rubble and cob. Thatch roof, gable end to left, hipped at right end. Rendered axial stack with tapered cap, brick stack at right end. Plan: 3-room and cross-passage plan, lower end to right, axial hall stack backing onto the passage which has staircase running up rear wall. Development: the hall was originally open to the roof. The roof structures over the inner room and lower end have been replaced probably in C19, so it is not clear whether these may have been floored from the outset. However, the solid cob wall partition between the hall and inner room is clean, and the fact that the stub of the smoke-blackened ridge is visible on the inner room side suggests this partition wall is a later insertion. Until c.1980 the partition incorporated a 4-centred arched doorway, apparently early C17, but the hall ceiling beam and fireplace lintel would suggest a probable late C17 date for the ceiling of the hall proper and the insertion of the hall stack. It is possible that the lower end was also rebuilt at this time, probably to form a parlour, although apparently remaining unheated until the early C19. The inner room end, originally with a higher floor level than the hall, appears to have always served as a service room dairy. A C20 staircase has been inserted running up the rear wall, and the staircase in the cross-passage was also replaced in C20. Exterior: 2 storeys. 4-window range. C20 fenestration throughout. Cross-passage doorway slightly reduced in width in C20. Shallow bread oven projection to left. Interior: thin chamfered axial ceiling beam and fireplace lintel to hall. Hall fireplace has cloam bread oven. Creamery niche in front wall. Rough unchamfered axial ceiling beam to inner room. C17 chamfered door surround between chambers over hall and inner room. Roof structure: the purlins are carried entirely on the solid wall partitions, except for a single inserted principal rafter supported by the inserted hall stack. The purlins, rafters, battens and underside of thatch are thoroughly smoke-blackened. The roof structure over the inner room and lower end were replaced probably in the C19.

Listing NGR: SS6845219340