The Rock

The Rock comprises two houses, located on Pilton Street in Pilton, Barnstaple. No.79 appears to date back to the 17th century or earlier, and likely formed part of a larger build with No.80. Both houses were remodelled in the late 19th or early 20th century.

The building is rendered with a roughcast finish, and has a slate roof. A brick stack is situated at the right end, featuring a stone shaft and old pot. The left-hand stack has a rendered shaft and two old pots. No.79 retains its original single-depth main range, containing one heated room to the right and a newel staircase rising from it, with a cross passage to the left. A blocked doorway indicates a former connection to No.80.

The facade presents an asymmetrical 2:2-window arrangement, with three windows on the ground floor. No.79 has a half-glazed front door to the left, while a recessed front door is located to the right of No.78. The ground-floor windows are a mixture of small-pane casements and sash windows. Four gabled dormers are positioned on the first floor, each incorporating one-over-one-pane sash windows with margin panes.

The interior of No.79, which was inspected, reveals chamfered ground-floor beams with pyramidal stops. A newel stair rises from the heated room. First-floor partitions appear to be later additions, and the ceiling covers the roof structure. The trusses have cruck-like feet and large purlins. There is a report of a garderobe located off the top of the staircase. No.78 may contain further historic features.