The Old Smithy

WELCOMBE WELCOMBE, Darracott SS 21NW 7/236 The Old Smithy

• II

House, now a public house. Probably late C18 or early C19 (possibly with earlier origins, roof not inspected) and with C20 alterations and extensions. Rendered stone rubble. Thatched roof with gabled ends. Grouted scantle slate lean-to roof over outshut at back. Axial and gable end stacks with red brick shafts. Plan. Probably originally a 3-room plan. the left hand and centre rooms are heated from gable end and axial stacks respectively. The left hand end room was larger and between the 2 rooms there is a doorway, probably originally to a cross-passage. The right hand end room beyond the axial stack is probably unheated. At the back there is a single storey outshut which might be a C19 addition, if not integral. In the C20 the internal partitions between the left hand and centre room on the ground floor to create one large room and a large wing was built and right angles at the front of the right hand end on higher ground level. Exterior: 2 storeys. Asymmetrical 4-window front. Small C19 or C20 2-light casements with glazing bars, the ground floor right hand window altered but in original small opening. Doorway to left of centre with large C20 stone rubble porch with a gabled thatched roof. The thatched roof of the main range continues to the right over the C20 wing is built on higher ground. At the back a continuous single storey outshut with a lean-to scantle slate roof. Interior: The partitions between the left hand and centre room of the original house have been removed and where the plaster ceiling has been taken down unchamfered beams are exposed. The fireplaces have unchamfered timber lintels, the large left hand fireplace lintel is cambered. The first floor and roof structure were not inspected.

Listing NGR: SS2312017898