West Stowford Farmhouse

SWIMBRIDGE STOWFORD SS 62 NW 11/204 West Stowford Farmhouse

GV II

Farmhouse. Probably early C16, remodelled in C17 and partly rebuilt and extended in C19. Rendered stone and cob. Slate roof to raised section at left end, remainder asbestos slate roof. Brick shaft to stack at left end. Rear lateral hall stack with brick shaft enclosed by 2 storeyed service wing extension with further gable end stack. 3 cell cross-passage plan, formerly open hall. The upper end extended in C19. 2 storeys. 5 window range. 2 light casements. C20 fenestration. Interior: Beam to lower end of hall with ovolo moulding to arris facing hall only, suggesting possible former jettied construction at this end. At the upper end of the hall is a solid cob partition to the apex of the roof, the upper end therefore possibly being a C19 addition rather than rebuilding. Over the hall is a single raised cruck truss formerly carrying 2 tiers of threaded purlins with a collar tenoned into mortices to the soffits of the blades. The single timbers to each blade fail to meet at the apex and short extension pieces are morticed and tenoned into the ends to carry the diagonally threaded ridge purlin. The truss is closed with a lath, cob and plaster partition, the blades themselves are heavily smoke- blackened and the partition itself shows signs of charring, but the latter appears to have been the result of a fire in the 1950's which particulay affected the lower end.

Listing NGR: SS6252326542