Moortown Farmhouse

Moortown Farmhouse is a farmhouse dating back to the 16th century, with significant improvements made in the late 16th and 17th centuries, and some 19th-century modernisation. It is constructed of granite stone rubble with dressed granite quoins; the front is roughcast and features granite stacks with their original granite ashlar chimney shafts incorporating moulded coping. The roof is covered in asbestos slate, although it was originally thatched.

The farmhouse has a 3-room-and-through-passage plan, facing south-east and situated on a gentle hillslope. Originally an open hall house, it now stands as a two-story building with a 20th-century outshot to the rear of the hall. The irregular 4-window front features 20th-century casement windows with glazing bars and a matching door positioned to the left of centre, fronting onto the passage. The roof is hipped on the left side and gable-ended on the right.

The rear passage doorway has a plain oak frame containing an attractive, old studded plank door with strap hinges. Inside, the farmhouse is well-preserved with only superficial modernisations. The room at the uphill end, originally a parlour, has a blocked fireplace with a 20th-century grate. The hall features a large granite ashlar fireplace with a chamfered surround, likely dating from the late 16th to early 17th century, and a 19th-century staircase alongside. The upper end crosswall is lined with small-field oak panelling above bench level. The hall was floored in the 17th century with soffit-chamfered spine beams with run-out stops; the half beam at the upper end is set a short distance out from the crosswall, potentially indicating an internal jetty. A rear wall oak door-frame with a segmental head leads to an unusual granite stair, which rises within a wide, shallow turret, then divides to provide separate access to the hall and inner room chambers. The service room at the downhill end, which was possibly a shippon, is now divided into a dairy and stores, with plain crossbeams that may be 19th-century replacements.

The first floor and roof structure could not be inspected at the time of survey, but should be examined before any alterations, as 17th-century joinery detail may remain. The roof itself may be late medieval, 16th century, or 17th century.