2 And 4, Higher Street

A pair of houses on Higher Street in Hatherleigh, originally built as one dwelling and reputedly once containing a school, dates to the late 18th century and was significantly remodelled and extended in the early to mid-19th century. The walls are likely plaster over stone rubble, with a low-pitched hipped slate roof and brick stacks at the left-hand end and along the rear of the original range.

The original plan was of a double-depth layout with a central stairhall flanked by two large rooms and service rooms at the rear. It was probably divided into two properties in the early to mid-19th century when a large wing was added to the right-hand end and subsequent outshuts were built adjoining it at the rear.

The front facade is nearly symmetrical with three bays. The central bay projects slightly and contains a sash window with 30 panes on the first floor. There are facsimile windows to the left and a 12-pane sash window to the right, all with projecting keystones above. A large, 19th-century canted bay with 2:4:2 pane sash windows is on the ground floor to the left. A circa early 19th-century Doric portico is placed slightly asymmetrically to the right of centre, sheltering two doorways. The right-hand doorway has a round-headed entrance with a 19th-century part-glazed door. The original doorway to the left has a 19th-century part-glazed door accompanied by narrow glazed lights and a pentagonal fanlight with radial glazing bars. A flat band separates the two floors, and a parapet conceals the roof from the front. The rear elevation features a large wing with 19th-century windows and a later outshut to the right.

The interior includes a staircase with turned newels and wrought iron balusters. There are 19th-century six-panel doors and simple moulded cornices. The property is accompanied by a rubble garden wall with iron railings and gates featuring decorative finials.