Middle Corscombe

SAMPFORD COURTENAY SX 69 NW 8/150 Middle Corscombe GV II

House formerly farmhouse. Circa early to mid Cl7, possibly with late medieval origins, C18 and C19 additions. Plastered cob and rendered stone walls. Gable ended thatch roof to older part, hipped slate roof to C19 block. This has 2 slate hung brick end stacks. The older part has a C17 granite ashlar axial stack with tapering cap. brick stack at right gable end. Plan: originally 3-room and through passage plan, lower end to the left, with hall stack backing onto passage, and small inner room originally unheated. In the circa late C18 a small dairy wing was added at the rear of the hall. In the mid-later C19 the lower end was demolished and replaced by a symmetrical 2-room block at right angles to it - this became the principal range and the older part was relegated to service use. Exterior: 2 storeys. Original range has asymmetrical 3-window front (1 window on first floor) of circa early C20 2 and 3-light casements. C19 plank door to passage at left-hand end. The C19 range is at right angles to the left end of the original part. It has a symmetrical 3-window front of mid-late C19 4-pane sashes with central 4-panel door. Interior of old range has a surprisingly high quality and very complete hall which is relatively small. It has a framed ceiling of chamfered beams with bar and hollow step stops. Open fireplace with chamfered wooden lintel which has ogee stops, beside it is a built-in settle probably of C18 or C19 date. Against the higher end wall is a C17 bench with panelling behind - this is of an unusual form with a small decorative finial above each of the stiles. There is also an integral shaped bench end which has similar finials. In the front wall is an C18 wall cupboard. The inner room has chamfered cross beams with hollow step stops. Good quality late C18 tall wall cupboard with dentilled cornice and fluted pilasters. Contemporary chimneypiece of similar design with Grecian urn to frieze. The passage has heavy chamfered axial beams with ogee stops. Granite ashlar back to hall fireplace. Roof timbers probably replaced in the C18 as there are no substantial principal rafters and the timbers rest on the wall-plates. Despite the C19 addition the early part of this house remains very unaltered and for its modest size has some surprisingly high quality internal features.

Listing NGR: SX6202296187