Forder Farmhouse

SX 87 NW BOVEY TRACEY FORDER LANE

5/67 Forder Farmhouse

23.8.55 GV II

Ruined farmhouse. Late C17 or C17; possibly medieval basically. Cob and stone, with occasional brick dressings added in late C19. Roof almost completely collapsed but a small section of wheatreed thatch remains. Old chimneystack in left-hand gable, overgrown with creeper. Large stone stack with thatch weatherings and C19 red brick shaft (heating former hall) off-centre to left, aligned with the original ridge. 3-room and through-passage plan with long unheated room, without internal communication to the house, at lower end. 2-storeys originally, but only the odd floor-beam still in position. Windows on road frontage, as far as they survive, have C19 wood casements. Late C16 or early C17 wood doorframe and door to through- passage survive; frame is ovolo-moulded with cranked head, plank door with wrought- iron strap-hinges. Rear door identical, except that frame has a plain chamfer. Remains of plank-and-muntin screens on both sides of through-passage. The back of hall stack towards passage is of large granite ashlar blocks, but without plinth or cornice. Hall has at least one chamfered ceiling-beam. Fireplace has chamfered wood lintel with well-cut relieving arch over. In upper gable, in room over parlour, the moulded granite jambs of a former fireplace. 2 side-pegged jointed- cruck trusses survive, one each side of hall stack; these have straight collars, butt purlins, and a ridge that seems to be original. Over the passage the remaining piece of thatch and the common rafters on which it rests, appear to be smoke- blackened. Formerly listed as having a 'spiral staircase leading from kitchen on outer wall.'

Listing NGR: SX8007479991