Manor Farmhouse

Manor Farmhouse is a manor house with origins in the 16th century, substantially rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries, and extended in the 19th century. It is constructed of regular coursed and squared coursed limestone, with a Collyweston slate roof. Originally likely a two-unit lobby-entry design, it later became L-shaped, and now has a T-shape due to later additions. The house has two storeys with an attic. The main front has a two-window range of two-light stone mullion windows with hood moulds. A central panelled door has a moulded stone surround and a four-centred arch head. Continuous buttresses are present to the right of centre and to the left. The roof is hipped, with an 18th-century dentilled wooden cornice. Ashlar stacks are situated at the ridge, end, and a lateral stack is on the rear. A one-window range extension to the left has three-light stone mullion windows, lower eaves, and a gabled roof with an ashlar parapet and stack to the left. The elevation to the right has a one-window range of 19th-century two-light stone mullion windows. A 19th-century wing is attached to the rear left, featuring a one-window range at ground floor and a two-window range at the first floor. Casement windows are set under stone lintels, and those on the first floor have gablets over. The rear elevation has a gable to the left with three-light stone mullion windows. Two 19th-century door openings are located to the right. Inside, the central stack likely contains an open fireplace. A 19th-century staircase is present along with some 18th-century two-panelled doors. Some original roof structure remains, and the centre of the main front has principals with curved feet. The manor is first documented in 1535 and it may incorporate masonry from Benefield Castle, which was located to the southwest. The house likely developed from two units by adding a cross-wing to the left of the main front, then by an 18th-century extension of the main front by one bay to the right and the construction of the hipped roof.