Longhouse Shippon At Town Farm

The Longhouse Shippon at Town Farm is a Grade II listed building, possibly dating from the 16th or 17th century, with a roof structure added in the 20th century. It is constructed of rubble and has a corrugated iron roof. This single-cell space, which was formerly floored, is adjacent to a rebuilt farmhouse now known as Birch Cottage. The gabled rubble structure features a low-pitched roof, with the gable facing Town Farm containing one off-centre gable vent and two additional vents below, as well as four pigeon openings with slate landing slabs. There is a projecting weathering course at mid-height, likely over a former lean-to. A door opening is located at the bottom right, while a small two-light casement window is positioned high on the right side towards the south. The north side has a series of low-level vents covered by a later lean-to, which is not of special interest, along with a square light high on the left.

Inside, there are four A-frame trusses from the 20th century, and three rough beams at the east end, which are remnants of the former floor structure, along with housings for two additional similar beams. The north wall has five deep splays for vents, while the west wall also features deep splays, with the gable opening to a square inner end. The east wall includes a large stack that partially extends into the adjoining Birch Cottage, emerging as a large square-stone shaft. There are also two large half-cylindrical projections at ground level, likely serving as bread ovens, and between these is a rough-filled opening that probably was a former door from the farmhouse. If this structure was part of a longhouse, it appears there was no adjoining cross-passage entry unless the stack and ovens were inserted later, as the ovens do not seem to be bonded to the outside walls. The floor has a raised section that is stone-finished and features a stone curb, with a lateral passage at a lower level opposite the gable end door. The Longhouse Shippon is located within Exmoor National Park.