Hores Uppacott Upcott

Hores Uppacott-Upcott is a house, barn, and adjoining cottage dating back to around the late 16th and early 17th centuries, with a barn added probably in the 18th century. The house is colourwashed rendered cob with a thatched roof, hipped at the left end over the barn and gabled at the end of the main wing. A stack is located at the junction with the adjoining cottage on the right end, alongside a front lateral stack. The house is arranged in an L-shape, with the main range consisting of two rooms and a cross passage, accompanied by a shallow rear right wing. The original hall, which features an unusual heating arrangement for the region, is situated on the left-hand side of the cross passage, opposite the hearth, while the lower end is heated by the front lateral stack. A former stair turret and bread oven once stood adjacent to the hall stack. A two-room plan cottage is attached to the right end.

The front of the house has an asymmetrical five-window facade, with a front lateral stack to the left of centre and a front door leading into the through passage on the right. There is a doorway to the barn on the left. The windows are 2- and 3-light casement windows with glazing bars. The rear elevation faces the road, with the projecting wing featuring three 2-light casements with six panes per light in the gable end and a similar casement in the main range.

Inside, the hall displays features of interest, including a chamfered cross beam with run-out stops. A long timber lintel from the original fireplace survives, although the hearth has been blocked and subdivided. An oak plank and muntin screen remains on the left side of the passage, plastered over. The lateral stack has a granite ashlar jamb; the left-hand jamb has been refaced with a chamfered lintel with ogee stops and a chamfered cross beam with step stops. A stair has been inserted in the rear of the passage. The roof space was inaccessible during a survey in 1985, but the roof timbers may be of interest. The barn’s interior has part lofts and pegged roof trusses, likely dating from the 18th century.

The adjoining cottage (Upcott), included for group value, has a lower thatched roof gabled at the right end and a projecting right gable end stack; a single-storey lean-to extends to the rear (facing the road). The interior of Upcott was not inspected. Hores Uppacott-Upcott, alongside the barn, creates a handsome roadside range, and together with Great Uppacott, forms a group of picturesque cob and thatch buildings.