Higher Sheepsbyre

CHULMLEIGH SS 71 NW 4/15 Higher Sheepsbyre 20.2.67 GV II Farmhouse. Probably early C16, probably remodelled in C17, and altered at right end in C18 and C19. Rendered stone rubble and cob. Asbestos slate roof with gable end brick stacks. Plan: 2-room and through-passage plan, former kitchen to left, parlour to right, with wide staircase filling the passage. Continuous outshut to rear. As roofspace was not accessible, the sequence of development is not clear, but clear evidence of smoke-blackening is said to be confined over the left-hand room and the through- passage, whereas the roof structure over the right-hand room was said to be clean. The exposed features in front suggest that the right-hand room was largely rebuilt, a solid cob wall rising through 2 storeys to the right of the passage, and the exposed right gable end wall being entirely of stone rubble with an integral stack and no evidence of a straight joint between the main range and the outshut, which is probably a C19 addition. The staircase has been inserted, also probably in the C19, into the through-passage and there was formally a staircase in the outshut giving access to a now blocked first floor doorway to the chamber over the right-hand room. It is not clear therefore whether the larger left-hand room was the open hall with the lower end to the right of the through-passage being possibly floored from the outset or whether the left-hand room formed the service end to an open hall house, the open hall to the right of the passage having been rebuilt. To judge by the part chamfered beams with run-out stops, the left-hand room may have been floored at a relatively late date, possibly in the late C17 or early C18. Exterior: 2 storeys. 3-window range. All late C20 fenestration apart from second window from left which has 2-light casement 4 panes per light above a 3-light window, 2 panes per light to left of plank door with 2 glazed upper panels. Interior: C19 joinery largely intact. There is a concealed, blocked round-headed timber doorway to right of through-passage with chamfered surround, possibly C16. Left-hand room has 2 cross ceiling beams, both chamfered to the front half only with run-out stops. Fireplace lintel concealed. Brick-lined bread oven. Roof: not accessible, and feet of 2 trusses boxed in. Higher and Lower Sheepsbyre (q.v.) are an interesting pair of closely situated early farmhouses, both south- facing and with adjacent front farm courtyards both of which retain relatively unspoilt ranges of farm buildings.

Listing NGR: SS7286215780