Townsend Farmhouse

Townsend Farmhouse is a farmhouse that dates from the 17th century or earlier. It is constructed of whitewashed rendered cob and has an asbestos slate roof, which was formerly thatched. The roof is gabled at both ends. The building features an axial granite stack with a granite cap, a truncated lateral stack on the front wall, and a brick chimney at the front left end.

The farmhouse is set back from the road and forms the north side of a narrow courtyard, with farm buildings on the other sides. Although the house may have origins that pre-date the 17th century, its 17th-century layout consists of three rooms and a through or cross passage. The lower end, located to the right, is heated by the front lateral stack, while the hall stack backs onto the passage. The inner room has been extended forward to the north, and there is a lean-to adjoining the right end.

The building has two storeys and an irregular three-window front. The lower right-hand end features raised eaves and a truncated lateral stack. To the right of the axial stack, there is a wide six-panel door, likely leading to the passage. The first floor has two blocked windows, and the ground floor includes a two-light casement window with six panes per light, along with another blocked window on the ground floor to the right. There is an additional entrance into the right return of the extended inner room.

Inside, there are likely early features hidden behind the plaster, including a boxed-in cross beam in the central room. The first floor and roof space have not been inspected, but some early roof timbers are said to exist.