Middle Langdon

LITTLEHAM SS42SW 6/129 Middle Langdon II Farmhouse, now house. Late medieval origins; remodelled c.1640. Lower end, to left, retains late medieval raised cruck and was probably built of cob, before walling was rebuilt in uncoursed slatestone rubble; coursed slatestone rubble to centre and right which is partly roughcast C20 slate cladding to left gable end. Gabled slate roof; stone lateral stack to centre of front wall, finished in C20 stone and brick; external right end stack. 3-unit plan, with through-passage in lower end. 2 storeys; 5-window range. Lower end to left has concrete lintel over C20 door, tympanum arch over C20 two-light casement and timber lintels over similar C20 casements on first floor. Flat stone arch and tympanum arch over similar C20 easements to centre. Higher end to right has flat stone arches over C20 above late C19 two-light casements; flat rendered arch over C20 door. C20 extension to rear. Interior: through-passage has hollow-chamfered and stopped joists, and is flanked by fine plank and muntin partitions with ovolo mouldings, built c.1640 and restored c.l980. Hall to right has cloam oven to blocked fireplace on front wall, round- arched recess for scalding cream, and plane-moulded joists; C17 plank door with strap hinges, set in ovolo-moulded architrave, to room on right which has smaller cloam oven in fireplace. First floor; truncated late medieval raised cruck over lower end. Staircase (now gone) to rear of hall rose to first-floor lobby which has C17 panelling and 2 - panelled doors; C17 plaster cornice in room to left above hall; room to right above hall has fine C17 plaster frieze, which depicts running putti holding roundels with scrolls and rosettes. Room to right has stop-chamfered bressummer over fireplace and C17 plank door set in ovolo-moulded architrave with jewel stops to position of former staircase. Roof over hall is not fully visible, but appears to have smoke blackening, trenched purlins and common rafters crossed and halved over ridge purlin set in notched apexes. This is an unusual house because it is placed along a slope, and its lower end (retaining a raised cruck) has the main through-entry and is structurally distinct from and lower than the rest of the house (rebuilt in about 1640). The chamber above the hall retains an exceptionally fine and unusual C17 plaster frieze, and it is possible that the upper end, which had its own staircase and a separate entry, was used for the accommodation of elderly relatives.

Listing NGR: SS4368523072