Densdon Farmhouse

SS 81 NW ROSE ASH DENSDON ROAD

9/110 Densdon Farmhouse

GV II

Farmhouse. Mid/late C17 or earlier. Colourwashed rendered cob and stone rubble, the rear elevation is unrendered; corrugated asbestos roof, gabled at ends (formerly thatched); end stacks, the left end stack with a bread oven and handmade brick shaft, and an axial stack, the shaft projecting through the roof to the front of the ridge. Plan: Overall T plan, the main range a 3 room and cross passage plan, lower end to the right, the hall stack backing on to the passage. A rear centre wing at right angles was a cider house but is now in use as a potato store, this appears to be integral with the main range. A small service room occupies the rear right corner of the passage - this may have been taken out of the width of the lower end room. A straight stair rises from the centre room, parallel to the rear wall. The house is very unaltered since the C19 and the function of the rooms may originate in the C17: kitchen at the left end, hall in the centre, lower end parlour to the right. Exterior: 2 storeys. Asymmetrical 4 window front with a C20 plank front door to the passage to right of centre with a glazed overlight. Ground floor windows 3-light small-pane timber casements, probably late C18 or C19, the first floor windows are all C20 replacements. Interior: The interior is virtually unchanged since the C19, some C17 features are visible, others are likely to be concealed behind plaster. The kitchen has a large open fireplace with a chamfered lintel and a bread oven. The centre room, the C17 hall, has a C17 chamfered crossbeam with ramshorn stops. The lower end room has a C19 iron grate and boxed-in cross beam. Roof Apex not inspected, principal rafters visible upstairs appear to be straight. A very unspoiled traditional farmhouse, group value with a range of traditional farmbuildings (q.v.).

Listing NGR: SS8061818976