Besshill Farmhouse

ARLINGTON BESSHILL LANE SS 64 SW 5/20 Besshill Farmhouse - GV II Farmhouse. Probably 1684 by datestone, with considerable late C19 alterations. Stone rubble and some cob. Slate roof with gable end brick stacks and axial brick stack. 3-room and cross-passage plan, the hall stack backing onto wide cross- passage containing staircase and passage through to rear dairy outshut. Lower end to left. Shallow projecting stair turret also to rear of inner room; which until approximately 1950's was divided axially, the smaller rear room being used for cheese-making. The gable end stack at the end appears to have been inserted in the late C19. At the same time the front wall of hall and inner room appears to have been rebuilt. Solid cob and stone partitions rise to the apex of the roof to the lower side of the cross-passage, and to first floor only between hall and inner room. 2 storeys. 5-window range. C19/C20 irregular fenestration 2-light casements, 2 panes per light to each floor to left of C20, 2-light casement above small 1684 date plaque over plank door. To the right are three 2-light casements, that to left side C20, those to right C19, 8 panes per light above a 3-light hall window and 2-light window to inner room with 8 panes per light and cambered brick arches. Slate roofs to dairy outshut and inner room stair turret to rear. Interior: narrow lower end has 2 chamfered axial ceiling beams, one with scroll stops above the deep projecting chimney-breast. Single scroll-stopped chamfered axial ceiling beam to hall. C20 fireplace may conceal original lintel 2-panelled door between hall and inner room. The inner room axial ceiling beam has been cased in. Roof trusses replaced in C19 except for single C17 truss over hall close to axial stack which formerly had trenched purlins. No signs of smoke-blackening.

Listing NGR: SS6308240636