No 31 And Arched Doorway

MORETONHAMPSTEAD FORD STREET (south side), SX 7586 Moretonhampstead 8/140 No 31 and itched doorway (formerly - 23.8.55 listed as Arch to entry leading to GV II No 33)

House in a row, probably part of a larger house originally. Circa C16 or early C17, with later alterations including remodelling of circa mid C19. Rendered stone. Dry slate roof with gabled ends abutting adjoining buildings to left and right and with continuous roof line with Ring of Bells Guest House adjoining left. Projecting granite rear lateral stack, with granite thatched weathering and tapered shaft and cap. Plan uncertain but it appears to be section of possibly a 3-room plan house and may be the hall with a rear lateral stack and part of the lower end including the passage. Eaves seem to have been raised. Interior not inspected therefore internal plan uncertain but later passageway has been put through left-hand end. 2 storeys. Asymmetrical but regular 3-window range. First floor 3 mid C19 12-pane sashes. Ground floor right 2 similar but 4-pane sashes. To left of centre a probably C17 or early C17 granite chamfered 4-centred arch doorway, the stops if they existed have been trimmed off. Segmentally headed narrow doorway to later passageway to left. At rear C20 windows and large projecting granite lateral stack. Attached to the stack at right angles is a late C19 single storey brick outbuilding. Interior not accessible at time of survey 1985. In spite of the C19 remodelling this is undoubtedly an early building with an impressive granite lateral stack at the rear, and the front with its original granite doorway and C19 fenestration makes a valuable contribution to Ford Street.

Listing NGR: SX7524186136