Longhouse Shippon At Town Farm

The following building shall be included in the list TOWN FARM SS 64 NE 3/156 Longhouse Shippon at Town Farm GV II Shippon end of former longhouse. Possibly C16 or C17, roof structure C20. Rubble, corrugated iron roof. A one cell space, formerly floored, adjoining a rebuilt farm- house now known as Birch Cottage (n/L). The rubble structure is gabled, with low- pitched roof; gable towards Town Farm has one gable vent, off-centre, and two below, also 4 pigeon openings with slate landing slabs. At mid-height a projecting weathering course, probably over former lean-to. Bottom right a door opening. Towards south a small 2-light casement opening high right; to north a series of vents at low level, covered by later lean-to (not of special interest) and a square light high left. Interior: 4 A-frameC2O trusses; 3 rough 'beams' at east end, remains of former floor structure, and housings for 2 further similar. North wall has 5 deep splays to vents west wall with deep splays similar, but that in gable opens to square inner end. The East wall has a large stack, part in the adjoining Birch Cottage, from which it emerges as a large square-stone shaft. Also 2 large half-cylindrical projections at ground level, probably bread ovens; between these a rough-filled opening, probably former door from farmhouse. If this was part of a longhouse, there seems not to have been a cross-passage entry adjoining, unless the stack and ovens are inserted; the ovens do not appear to be bonded to outside walls. The floor has a raised section, stone finished and with a stone curb, with a lateral passage at lower level opposite the gable end door. Located in Exmoor National Park.

Listing NGR: SS6676448700