Stowford Cottage

Stowford Cottage is a house that likely has late medieval origins but was remodeled in the 17th century, with some 20th-century alterations. It is constructed of stone and cob, featuring a partly rendered facade and a thatched roof that is hipped at the right end. The front has a tall lateral stack with offsets that heats the inner room, along with a slated cap for a projecting bread oven. There is also a tall lateral hall stack at the rear. The layout consists mainly of three rooms and a through-passage plan, with the lower end possibly extended originally for animal accommodation or farm storage; this area is still used as a storeroom. The inner room was added or completely rebuilt in stone during the 17th century, with its gable end facing the main range. The rear extension, originally a barn, has been converted into a garage, creating an overall L-shaped plan. The cottage is two storeys high and has a five-window range with 20th-century fenestration. Inside, the space has been much altered, but there is one 17th-century doorway leading to the landing corridor, featuring chamfered and scroll-stopped durns. The roof structure appears to have been entirely remodeled in the 17th century, with straight lap-jointed collars and purlins resting on the backs of the principals, which support waney rafters. Notably, one of the purlins shows signs of smoke-blackening, suggesting it may have been reused from a former medieval roof structure, indicating that this building was originally an open hall house.