Ball Farmhouse

Ball Farmhouse is probably of early 16th century origin, with substantial remodelling and extension during the early to mid 17th century. The construction combines plastered cob and rubble walls, topped by a gable ended thatched roof. Brick stacks are located at the left gable end, and a rendered axial stack is offset from the ridge. A rear wing features a projecting granite stack with a tapering cap.

Originally conceived as a three-room-and-through-passage plan, the house’s hall was open to the roof with a central hearth. Around the early to mid 17th century, a significant remodelling occurred, possibly when the hall was floored and an axial stack was added, or shortly thereafter. This altered the hall into two smaller rooms – an unheated dairy above and a larger parlour at the upper end, potentially also extending the house slightly. A rear kitchen wing was added during this period, or shortly after. At a later, unspecified time, the lower room was demolished or greatly reduced, now appearing as a single-story, unheated room with a small 20th century extension.

The two-story front façade is asymmetrical with a two-window arrangement and five ground-floor windows. Late 20th century one-light casements are present on the right-hand side. The left-hand side of the ground floor features early 20th century two-light casements with small panes. On the first floor, there is a 20th century one-light casement to the right, and a late 20th century small semi-circular bay window supported by a bracket on the left. The rear elevation includes a projecting wing to the left and 19th century small-paned casements on the back wall.

Inside, remnants of a plank and muntin screen with chamfered muntins are found near the passage. A room on the other side of the passage has a fireplace with a high chamfered wooden lintel and granite jambs, alongside two axial beams with roll mouldings. The parlour features a similar fireplace, with a clay oven inserted. The rear kitchen has a large fireplace with a chamfered wooden lintel and chamfered cross beams.

The roof over the main range retains original trusses, possibly jointed crucks, one of which is smoke-blackened with what appears to be a replacement collar. The rear wing has a 17th century truss with slightly curved feet and dovetail halved collar. This represents a compelling example of a 16th century house significantly amended in the 17th century to create a notably different floor plan.