West Trecott Farmhouse

Farmhouse, likely dating to the late 15th or early 17th century, with a mid-17th century addition and alterations in the 20th century. The construction is partly rendered, but where exposed, it consists of coursed squared granite rubble with granite ashlar blocks to the projecting front section; elsewhere, some cob may be incorporated. The roof is hipped to the front range and gabled to the rear wing, covered in thatch. There are two brick axial stacks, one of fine granite ashlar with a dripcourse and tapering cap, and a rendered stack at the gable end of the rear wing. The original plan appears to be a standard three-room and through-passage layout with a central rear wing, although the arrangement is more complex than it initially suggests. The room to the left was originally used for non-domestic purposes and retains only a loft above, divided from the rest of the house by a full-height solid wall. The hall has a stack backing onto the passage and a slightly projecting window bay at the front. The inner room may originally have been unheated. Behind the hall is a two-room rear wing separated by a solid wall; the end room has a large fireplace and likely served as a kitchen, although the purpose of the adjoining room is unclear. This wing was probably added in the mid-17th century. In the 20th century, the lower room was converted for domestic use. The exterior is asymmetrical, with a three-window front. Ground floor and first-floor windows to the left are 1 and 2-light C20 casements without glazing bars, with the exception of the ground-floor window in the hall projection to the right of center. The remaining windows are circa late 19th century 4-pane sashes. A likely original granite doorframe with a cranked head is centered on the front, behind which is a C20 plank door. Inside, the back of the hall fireplace facing onto the passage is constructed of granite ashlar and framed with granite, featuring a chamfered lintel and jambs. The hall has a framed ceiling with run-out stops on stop-chamfered spine beams. The inner room has a chamfered axial beam. The end room in the rear wing has a wide, hollow-chamfered granite-framed fireplace including an oven on the right-hand side and chamfered ceiling beams. The roof over the hall features one pair of side-pegged jointed crucks with threaded purlins; the roof access was not possible at the time of survey. However, access was possible to the roof over the lower end, revealing principals with curved feet, threaded purlins, and a high morticed collar – completely unsmoke-blackened.