Higher Rubhay Farmhouse

Farmhouse. It likely originated in the early 16th century, with remodelling in the late 16th century, and the lower end largely reconstructed in the 19th century. The walls are rendered cob with some stone rubble to the rear, and it has slate roofs with gabled ends. It features an axial stack with a rendered shaft. The original layout may have been an open hall house, although this remains unproven due to lack of roof access during a 1985 survey. The post-medieval plan was likely two or three rooms with a through passage, built on a steep slope, with the passage and lower end situated to the right and well below the hall. The land’s inclination suggests the possibility that there may never have been an inner room, as the hall stack backs onto the passage. The lower end was largely rebuilt in the 19th century, although some original walling may have been retained. The front is irregular, with a two-bay and two-window arrangement. A 20th-century flat-roofed porch is positioned approximately in the centre of the range, masking the front door which leads to the passage. A rounded bread oven projects from the axial stack to the left of the porch. A second entrance, with a 20th-century gabled porch, is located on the extreme left. There is one small two-light timber window with two panes per light, above the passage porch, and two 20th-century steel casements to the left. The lower end has 19th-century six-pane sashes. Inside the hall, there is a deeply-chamfered cross beam with run-out stops; a blocked fireplace is visible, along with a wooden jamb with a corniced top. A winder stair leads to the first floor at the rear of the hall. The apex of the roof is inaccessible, but face-pegged jointed crucks survive, along with original purlins, that are likely from the early 16th century or earlier and appear to be smoke-blackened. The house has evolved and retains features of interest, but other features may be present and concealed.