Old Venn

BRIDFORD POUND LANE SX 88 NW 2/57 Old Venn GV II Former farmhouse. Probably early C16 origins, remodelled in the late C16/early C17, roof raised late C18. Whitewashed rendered cob and stone rubble; thatched roof, half-hipped at left end, gabled at right end; end stacks and axial stack, all with brick stafts; right gable end weatherboarded. Plan: 3 room and through passage plan, lower end to the right, hall stack backing on to passage, lower end and inner room stacks probably C19 or C20 additions. Single-storey rear left addition, a former outbuilding converted to domestic use; 2-storey C20 rear centre lean-to; single storey rear right lean-to probably C19. Internal detail indicates that the house originated as an open hall arrangement, probably floored in the late C16/early C17. In the late C18 the roof was raised but the ground floor plan remained intact. A late C20 stair has been introduced into the passage. Exterior: 2 storeys. Asymmetrical 4 window front with a C20 gabled porch on posts to the front door to the through passage to right of centre. 2-, 3- and 4-light C20 timber casement windows with glazing bars except for C20 12-pane sash to left of front door. Interior: Wide through passage with massive rear door; exposed granite ashlar of the hall chimney stack revealed in the hall with a hollow-chamfered cornice, a typical feature of medieval houses in the region. The hall has a massive open fireplace with hollow-chamfered granite jambs, a massive granite lintel, a chamfered stopped crossbeam and C18 timber cupboard doors to a fitted wall cupboard. Roughly chamfered crossbeam to inner room to the left, both inner and lower end room fireplaces appear to be post C17 introductions. Roof: X apex pegged main trusses with halved collars are probably C18 but the rafters and battens are sooted and presumably re-used from the late medieval roof of the open hall. The axial stack has a granite shaft in the roofspace (below the exposed brick shaft) and the height of the earlier roofline was approximately 2 1/2 metres below the present ridge. An evolved traditional house, group value with barn to the rear.

Listing NGR: SX8327586966