Stacombe Farmhouse

Farmhouse, dating to around the mid-16th century with alterations in the 17th century and modernisation in the 19th century. The farmhouse is constructed of rendered granite rubble, with a thatched roof gabled at the right end and half-hipped at the left. It features three chimney stacks: one at the right-hand gable constructed of rendered brick; a large, projecting rendered granite stack at the front with offsets and a brick shaft; and a projecting rendered granite stack at the left gable end with offsets and an oven projection to the right, with a rendered brick shaft. Originally a 3-room-and-through-passage plan, it included an open hall with an original jettied chamber above the inner room, and a chamber above the passage and lower room. The hall was ceiled in the 17th century and the front lateral stack was built to heat the hall and chamber above. It is possible the inner room was used as a kitchen, having a large gable end stack with an oven. The lower room was likely unheated until the mid-19th century, when a stack was added at the lower end, transforming it into a parlour. A 19th or 20th-century outshut was added to the rear of the lower room and hall. The front facade is asymmetrical, with four windows, and features a large projecting lateral stack to the left of centre. All windows are mid-20th century metal framed 2- and 3-light casements. A mid-20th century lean-to porch, constructed of rendered concrete, extends from the passage door at the right of centre. An outshut is located along the rear wall. The interior remains largely unspoilt, with several original and early features, although some are undoubtedly concealed. The hall has a very wide internal jetty at the inner end of chamfered joists, projecting approximately 12 inches into the room with curved ends and 'tongue' stops. The hall cross beam is chamfered with hollow step stops; at the front it rests on an upright post with ovolo-moulded edges with hollow step and notch stops. Solid stone partitions exist between the hall and inner room, and the hall and passage. The hall fireplace has a modern grate. In the hall chamber, the wall above the fireplace includes a relieving arch. One partition wall to this chamber consists of a closed truss with substantial principal rafters (whose feet disappear into the walls), a morticed tie beam and a central strut to the apex. The roof space has not been inspected.