Farm Building @ 150 Metres East Of Stephenson Ground Farmhouse

SD 29 SW, 15/23

DUNNERDALE WITH SEATHWAITE, STEPHENSON GROUND, Farm building @ 150 metres east of Stephenson Ground Farmhouse

31.01.89

II

Farm building, originally a dwelling. Possibly early C16, no later than early C17 (see historic note below). Random rubble (with some earth infill); diminishing stone slab gable-end roof with 'wrestler' ridge slates. Plan: a longhouse derivative, the house to the left (with end fireplace, originally probably a firehood) entered through the left-hand of the two doors into a cross-passage; byre, to the right, entered through a separate door. Single-storey. Front, with the two doorways mentioned above set close together, rubble jambs and rough slate lintels, planked doors and one with upright slate containing bolt holes. One window to extreme left adjacent to fireplace. Rear with single door opposing house door to front (at rear of cross passage). Small opening to right hand end gable wall. Internally, one disturbed cruck truss; the other truss with tie and principal rafters; side purlins and ridge piece.

Historical note: Stephenson Ground was granted as wasteland for cultivation by Furness Abbey to the Stephenson family in 1509. It is likely that a farmhouse was built soon afterwards and the present structure may represent this building (or its successor). The present farmhouse is late C18.

Listing NGR: SD2357893132