The Manor Farmhouse (Two Occupations)

The Manor Farmhouse (Two Occupations)

A large house dating from the 16th to early 17th century, undergoing division into two separate dwellings at the time of survey in May 1987. The building stands on the south side of Stockwell Lane at Woodmancote.

The main structure is constructed of coursed squared and dressed limestone with dressed stone quoins, combined with square-panelled timber framing and brick infill. The roof is covered with artificial stone slate and concrete tiles, with ashlar and brick stacks. The plan comprises an L-shaped main body linked on the south to a service range and timber-framed building. The main body rises to 2 storeys and attic, with the service range at 1½ storeys.

The west front features twin gables with a flat-chamfered plinth. Ground floor openings comprise two hollow-chamfered 3-light stone-mullioned casements with single stopped hoods flanking a central door. A central 20th-century studded plank door with fillets occupies the central position. The first floor has two 3-light hollow-chamfered slightly canted stone-mullioned casements with stopped hoods. The gables each have two 2-light double-chamfered stone-mullioned casements with stopped hoods, and single-light windows with hollow-moulded chamfers towards each gable apex. All casements retain leaded panes, some with early fastenings.

The left gable end displays two 3-light hollow-chamfered stone-mullioned casements with Tudor-arched heads, carved spandrels and stopped hoods. Above is a two-light hollow-chamfered stone-mullioned casement with stopped hood serving the attic.

The south front of the rear extension features a projecting lateral stack and comprises two single-light and two 3-light hollow-chamfered stone-mullioned casements with Tudor-arched heads. The east-facing gable has a 4-light hollow-chamfered stone-mullioned casement with Tudor-arched head at ground floor level, with a two-light hollow-chamfered stone-mullioned casement above.

The south-facing elevation of the former service range and timber-framed building shows varied construction. The stone-built portion to the left contains a 5-light flat-chamfered stone-mullioned casement with stopped hood and a 2-light stone-mullioned casement with stopped hood, both flanking a central 19th-century plank door. A 2-light roof dormer is positioned above. The timber-framed first floor to the right has been partly rebuilt in 20th-century brick, with two shuttered ground-floor windows. A blocked window, small window with wooden mullions, and a plank door with pitching door above are located to the opposite side. Square dressed stones block ventilation holes in the brick infill within the timber framing.

Gable-end detailing includes flat and stepped coping with roll-cross saddles and ball finials. Projecting lateral and axial stacks serve the main house, with a gable-end stack to the service wing.

The interior of the main body contains 17th-century panelling in the principal downstairs room, accessed via an early door. This room features a compartmented ceiling with deep flat chamfers. The wide Tudor-arched stone fireplace displays roll moulding, an overmantel with blind arcading and engaged turned decoration, and the Cocks family arms at its centre. An adjoining room contains a late 17th to early 18th-century bolection-moulded fireplace, partly concealed by a moulded bressumer, and a cupboard with 17th-century panelled doors. A dog-leg staircase with turned balusters and newels, moulded handrails and ball finials rises through the house. An early door with ventilation slits under the stairs provides access to the cellar. An upstairs room features a compartmented ceiling, with early doors serving the first-floor and attic rooms. The original roof timbers retain curving principals.

The service range interior contains a large open fireplace with bressumer beam. The timber-framed building is reputed to incorporate a dovecote, though this was not accessible at the time of survey.