Little Harvey And Little Harvey Cottage

A farmhouse, originally divided into two dwellings, likely dating from the early 16th century, with substantial remodelling in the early to mid-17th century, and later 20th-century renovations. The house is constructed of colourwashed rendered stone with a thatched roof. The roof is plain, with a hipped end on the left and a gabled end on the right, and a hipped end to the rear wing. There are axial stacks, one with a rendered shaft, and a lateral stack at the right end. The original plan was likely that of a late medieval open hall house, although this cannot be confirmed by roof access. The main range is single depth, thought to have originally comprised a three-room plan with a passage, although this is no longer present. Little Harvey is likely the hall and inner room, while Little Harvey Cottage occupies the lower end and was originally heated by a front lateral stack. A rear wing at a right angle to the hall is probably a later addition. A rounded recess on the rear wall of the hall may have been the location of a 17th-century staircase. The asymmetrical front has four windows. The front door to Little Harvey is probably 17th century, consisting of two planks with a massive timber lock box, and is sheltered by a 20th-century gabled porch hood. The windows are late 20th century, with plastic frames and simulated glazing bars. The interior of Little Harvey reveals a 20th-century fireplace, which probably conceals earlier features. A plank and muntin screen, painted white, is present in the hall, featuring roll-moulded muntins and chamfered crossbeams, some of which may be jetties. Plastered-over chamfered crossbeams are also visible in the right-hand room, with additional support at the front. A jointed cruck truss is located over the right end of the house, with plastered-over cruck feet. The next truss to the left, partially concealed within a first-floor partition, has a lower collar and has been altered to create an axial passage leading to the left-hand first-floor room, involving the cutting of rafters. Either or both of these trusses could be medieval. The interior of Little Harvey Cottage was not inspected, but may retain features of interest, including possible medieval roof timbers.