Garliford

House. 17th century or earlier origins, probably remodelled in 1704 (date carved on porch), with 20th century renovations. Built of cob on stone rubble footings, the cob plastered and the stone rubble whitened. Slate roof, formerly thatched, with 19th century crested ridge tiles. End stacks and a projecting rear lateral stack, all with brick shafts; the end stacks have hand-made brick shafts.

The plan is L-shaped, comprising a south-facing main range three rooms wide, with a two-storey porch to the left of centre leading into a lobby. The lobby divides at the rear between the stair and a passage. The lower end former kitchen is to the left, a small hall to the right (heated by the rear lateral stack), and a larger parlour at the extreme right. A rear right wing at right angles to the parlour is unheated, with a flight of straight stairs parallel to the rear wall of the parlour, which has a blocked door on its rear wall. A rear left dairy outshut has been extended across the rear centre of the main range. The overall plan suggests mid-17th century date, though the size of the parlour and plasterwork could be later, possibly from a 1704 refurbishing and extension of the earlier house.

The exterior displays two storeys with an asymmetrical 1:1:2 window front and regular fenestration. The two-storey gabled porch is in the first bay from the left. The outer doorway of the porch has an ovolo-moulded timber lintel with the date 1704 scratched on it, above which is a two-light 19th century casement window with glazing bars. The other windows are probably early 19th or 20th century copies of early 19th century two-light high transomed casements with small panes. The rear elevation has one two-light 18th century casement with square leaded panes, and a similar window is concealed by the outshut roof.

Interior features include a fine 17th century panelled studded inner door to the porch, a similar door closing the passage to the rear of the lobby, and a third door on the rear wall of the hall giving access to the rear right wing. The house has been substantially modernised internally, with the wall between the parlour and hall removed and all fireplace lintels being 20th century. The hall displays re-used 17th century panelling on the wall adjacent to the entrance, returning on the inner front wall, and a very plain, probably replaced crossbeam. The parlour retains a plaster cornice and central circular motif on the ceiling, probably dating from 1704. The lower end room to the left has a plain crossbeam, and its fireplace features a large bread oven; a cream oven on the rear wall has a separate flue into the left end stack. The rear left dairy retains slate-topped benches. The handrail of the straight stair behind the parlour may be 17th century. The first floor and roofspace were not inspected; the roof timbers are said to be modern. During re-roofing work, five cannon balls were found embedded in the cob, likely placed there during building work.

Historical records indicate that the Molford family built the present house in the 17th century and lived there until 1692, when the Molford heir died, as recorded on a tablet in South Molton Church.