Withycombe Farmhouse

SX 79 SE 2/75

TEDBURN ST MARY Withycombe Farmhouse

II

Farmhouse. Late medieval origins, remodelling of the late C16, C20 renovations. Whitewashed rendered cob on stone rubble footings; slate roof gabled at right end, half-hipped at left end; 1 rendered axial stack, rear right lateral stack. Present plan of 2 (formerly 3) rooms hind through passage to main range. The house has been extended by the conversion of a dairy and other outbuildings at the rear forming an approximate U-plan. The main range was a late medieval open hall house, the hall probably divided from the passage by a low screen with 2-storey blocks at the lower and inner ends, the lower end (right-hand) heated from the rear lateral stack. In the circa late C16 the hall was floored over and a cob stack inserted backing on to the through passage. Both the hall and inner room have stairs against the rear wall. In the C20 most of the plank and muntin screen dividing the narrow inner room from the hall was removed and the front elevation of the house refenestrated with altered embrasures. 2 storeys. Irregular 4-window front with a C20 porch to the front door to the passage which is right of centre. Various late C20 casements with diamond-leaded panes. Interior The lower end room has a chamferedcross beam with step stops, the fireplace has been largely rebuilt. The hall has an open fireplace with 1 monolith granite jamb and a chamfered lintel with step stops, 1 jamb partially rebuilt; bread oven. The hall cross beam and joists appear to be late C20 replacements. The remains of the passage screen survive, visible in a cupboard under the stairs, and a fragment of the plank and muntin screen between the hall and narrow unheated inner room. On the first floor a timber framed partition that rises as a closed truss in the roofspace divides the left-hand room from the room over the hall (no through access). Chamfered doorframe to first floor room right. There is a late medieval smoke- blackened roof over the hall, the left-hand closed truss is also sooted. 1 visible main truss, probably a jointed cruck truss, complete with threaded ridge, purlins and rafters. An evolved house, conspicuous from the road with a late medieval roof.

Listing NGR: SX7909493900