Brealeys Farmhouse

BEAFORD SS 51 NW 7/7 Brealeys Farmhouse - GV II

Farmhouse. Possibly C16, but probably early to mid C17. Remodelled in the early C19 and again on the late C18. Rendered over cob. C20 asbestos-slate roof (formerly thatched), gable-ended to right and hipped to left. Brick end stack to right and axial stack off-centre to left (tops rebuilt in C20), and rendered lateral stack to rear. Plan and development: Probably C17 or earlier 3 room and through passage plan, facing south (ground falls to the right). The house consists of a hall with external lateral stack to rear, wide through passage to right, former service room at the right-hand end with external end stack, and former inner room to the left of the hall with axial stack to its right. If house dates from before the late C16 the stacks and the first floor are probably C17 insertions. Later one-roomed addition (now kitchen) at the left-hand end, possibly C17 or C18, and probably C19 lean-to outshut at rear of left-hand part of house. The house was remodelled externally in the early C19 (see photograph showing it with small-paned glazing bar sashes, with a symmetrical 3-window front to right) but was further substantially altered on the outside in the late C20. The present staircase was probably inserted in the entrance passage in the early C19. If the house does date from the C16 it was possibly formerly an open hall, although no evidence for this was noted at the time of survey (December 1987). Two storeys. Exterior: Asymmetrical 4-window front; late C20 two-light metal casements (in old openings). Recessed early to mid C19 five-panelled door between first and second windows from right (top 2 lights glazed) with beaded mitred wooden frame. Passage rear doorway has C19 boarded door with beaded frame. Rear stack has chamfered offsets. Interior: Hall has C17 chamfered cross beam with runout stops, and 2 probably early C19 cupboards in left-hand wall with pairs of one-panelled doors. C19 boarded doors into hall at each end. Chamfered cross beam in kitchen too. Early C19 staircase in entrance passage, with stick balusters, turned newel posts and open string with cut brackets. Right-hand ground-floor room remodelled in the early C19, with 6-panelled door, cased beam, recesses flanking fireplace with moulded cornices, and window with internal panelled shutters. Roof-space not inspected at time of survey (December 1987) but the feet of probably C17 trusses were noted in the first-floor rooms. The occupant reports that they are unblackened.

Listing NGR: SS5441515888