Bowden Farmhouse

Farmhouse. It likely dates to the 16th century, although original features from before 1600 are no longer visible. The walls are of rendered granite rubble, with a slated roof at the lower end and a thatched, half-hipped roof elsewhere. There are two granite rubble stacks: one axial and a taller lateral stack with a dripmould and granite capping. The building has a complex plan, the original layout of which is unclear. It has three main rooms in a row; the left-hand room is heated by the front lateral stack, the lower room by the axial stack, and the central room appears to be unheated. There is no visible passage. A possible 18th-century wing sits at the front, with adjoining outshuts to its left and right. The front of the house is asymmetrical, with a two-storey wing in the centre and a thatched outshut to the left which projects beyond the gable end. A 20th-century lean-to porch is immediately to the left of the wing, with a part-glazed door leading to the outshut behind it. A corrugated iron-roofed outshut is located to the right of the wing. There are only two first-floor rear windows, both 2-light early 20th-century casements; the right-hand one has glazing bars. Below it is a 4-light ovolo moulded wooden mullion window with glazing that was likely replaced in the 19th century. To its right is a large 20th-century 2-light casement with single panes. On the higher gable end at first-floor level is a 19th-century 2-light casement in a wooden mullion frame. The interior has been considerably altered, probably in the early 20th century, although early features are likely concealed. The left-hand room has a chamfered longitudinal beam with hollow step stops. The central room has a chamfered axial beam, but the stops are indiscernible. The lower room has a fireplace with a chamfered wooden lintel and notched stops. On the first floor, the feet of some substantial straight principals are visible, along with heavy purlins, although access to the roof space is not possible. The house presents a puzzling development history, and clues to its construction may still be concealed within its structure.