LONGHOUSE AT SX 466 780

This is a longhouse, originally dating from the 15th century, and likely abandoned around 1600, with subsequent alterations. It is now used as a barn. The building is constructed of slatestone rubble with greenstone dressings, with short cob sections to the upper parts of the walls and remnants of wheat reed thatch under a corrugated iron roof. It sits on a fairly steep slope, oriented east/west, and originally comprised a hall to the left and a shippon (animal shelter) to the right, without a structural division between the passage and shippon. A full-height wall inserted later between the hall and passage may have supported a fire hood, and there is no partition at the upper end of the hall, suggesting original division by low screens. A curious full-height projection exists at the upper end of the front.

The building is one and a half storeys high, possibly raised for storage above the upper end. The north front has a projection to the left, its purpose unclear, and a narrow opening, possibly originally deeper. There is also a small square opening with a stone lintel, a straight joint below, and a two-centred arched stone door opening with chamfered edges set beneath a slate arch showcasing neat masonry. A later door and a corrugated iron lean-to are attached to the shippon end to the right. The higher gable end to the left has a loading door with a granite sill, while the lower gable end has a ventilation slit in a stone surround and a drain. The rear of the building shows rebuilt stonework at the higher and lower ends, potentially indicating a previous extension at the higher end. A rear door has been blocked, and a single light with a cambered brick head has been inserted. Two ventilation slits are present in the loft of the shippon.

The interior passage is open to the shippon. A wall to the left has likely been inserted later, and there is no fireplace, although signs of two projections suggest a former hood. The hall end has a keeping hole (a small opening for serving food) in the north wall, with splayed reveals to window openings. A single cruck truss foot remains, built into a cross wall. The roof over the lower end has two cut-off beams, with mortices indicating the presence of others. The roof structure comprises five bays, with crossed principals and side-pegged collars, and battens for thatch.

This building is one of the rare surviving primitive longhouses originally lacking structural partitions. The pointed arched door is of exceptional quality. Its abandonment in the 16th century, and the preservation of its original plan form without significant later alterations, makes it particularly interesting. It may have been abandoned in conjunction with the building of Cleaves, Chaddlehanger, in 1585.