Laployde Barton

Laployde Barton, Bridford

Laployde Barton is a high-status farmhouse of medieval origins, considerably rebuilt and remodeled from the 17th century onwards, with some 20th-century internal alterations. The building is constructed of roughly coursed granite rubble with a thatched roof (formerly slated) and gabled ends. It features an axial granite stack with granite shaft to the main block, a projecting granite stack with rendered shaft to the left end, and end stacks to the wings.

The building follows a U-shaped plan with three ranges arranged around a narrow courtyard. The main block lies to the east, originally containing two or three rooms with a through passage, with a parallel kitchen wing formerly behind to the west and a parlour wing to the left (south). The north end of the courtyard was formerly closed by a low passage that presumably linked the main block and kitchen with a covered way, creating an inner service courtyard. The main range is probably medieval in origin but was remodeled in the 17th century with evidence of considerable rebuilding in the masonry. The through passage runs at the right (north) end, with the hall stack backing onto it and a massive crosswall between the inner room and hall. A former external stair turret on the rear wall of the hall is now absorbed into a larger stair outshut. Evidence survives of a large 17th-century heated chamber over the hall, which was subdivided in the 20th century. The parlour wing dates to the 17th century and retains a 17th-century first-floor fireplace, though the ground floor has been modernized. The parlour wing is linked to the kitchen wing by a lower block; the kitchen, possibly originally detached, is also 17th-century with a doorway into the courtyard. The plan form indicates a high-status house; a chapel dedicated to Saint Katherine existed at Laployde in 1409.

Externally, the building displays two storeys. The asymmetrical four-window entrance elevation of the east block shows evidence of rebuilding at the left, with remnants of a granite eaves cornice in the centre and to the right and regular fenestration. A good oak ovolo-molded doorframe marks the through passage at the extreme right, with relieving arches over two windows to the left of the door. 19th-century three- and four-light timber casements with glazing bars are present throughout. The right return of the block is buttressed; the left return has one first-floor and one ground-floor timber casement. The south elevation (parlour wing) also displays signs of rebuilding, with eaves thatch eyebrowed over two first-floor timber casements and one ground-floor casement; the linking block to the kitchen wing is set back at the left end. The west elevation (kitchen wing) is rendered and has been rebuilt to the left, featuring three first-floor 20th-century timber casements, one ground-floor casement, and a 20th-century door to the right, with a projecting granite stack at the left end. The courtyard elevation of the kitchen wing shows three windows with a central doorway featuring a chamfered lintel and replaced jambs. The courtyard elevation of the parlour wing has one first-floor and two ground-floor windows. The courtyard elevation of the main block features a good wide 17th-century chamfered doorframe to the passage with a blocked loft doorway above, a straight joint to the right of the doorway, a stair outshut at the extreme right, and one first-floor and one ground-floor casement between the doorway and outshut. The cobbled courtyard retains two granite monoliths which formerly supported a porch to the passage rear door.

Internally, the rear of the hall stack, visible in the passage, is constructed of granite with a granite cornice, a typical feature of medieval houses in the region. The hall has a granite flag floor and an open fireplace with chamfered granite monolith jambs, a replaced lintel, and a 19th-century bread oven. Roughly chamfered 17th-century crossbeams with stops probably concealed behind wall plaster are present, along with a 17th-century chamfered doorframe to the former stair turret and a similar doorframe above with scroll nick stops. Remnants of a 17th-century plaster cornice are visible upstairs, with a blocked fireplace to the hall stack fireplace. The room above the inner room features a granite lintel and a peculiar arrangement of three slits in a vertical stone in the hearth, together with a good wide chamfered oak doorframe with scroll stops. The kitchen wing has been modernized but retains its fireplace with a massive chamfered lintel the full width of the building, partly infilled to accommodate a former bread oven. The parlour wing features a 17th-century granite chimneypiece with chamfered jambs, a deep low granite lintel, and a relieving arch.

The main range has probably 17th-century collar rafter roof trusses (it is not clear whether they are crucks) with lap dovetailed collars; the roofspace has been used for accommodation with some 17th-century partitioning surviving. The roof trusses over the kitchen wing are similar but are all presumably jointed crucks, with one showing a peg visible on the face. The trusses over the parlour wing have curved feet and collars mortised into the principals.

According to Hoskins, Laployd (formerly Lapflode) was the seat of the Lapflodes from the time of John until 1523. The building has group value with associated farm buildings.