Number 59 And (Thorpe House) And Attached Wall To South

Farmhouse at Number 59 (Thorpe House), Thorpe Street, Raunds

A mid 16th-century farmhouse, probably modified in the late 16th and 18th centuries. The building is constructed of squared coursed limestone with roofs of Collyweston slate, Welsh slate and pantile. It originally followed a 3-unit plan with a central cross wing, and now stands 2 storeys with an attic storey.

The main front comprises 3 bays with a central gabled cross wing rising to the attic. A central 2-storey gabled porch has a 4-centred arch head opening at ground floor level and a 2-light stone mullion window above with leaded lights. To the right of the porch is a 6-light stone mullion window with a central king mullion, hood mould and hollow reveals. To the left is a similar 4-light window with square-head lights. The first floor has 3-light stone mullion windows with arch-head lights on both left and right, also featuring hollow reveals. The central gable displays a 3-light stone mullion attic window with leaded lights. A small single-light arch-head window sits to the ground floor right of the porch. The cross wing and left gable feature ashlar gable parapets with ball finials, while the right gable has a square finial. At first floor level on the right gable is a 3-light stone mullion window matching those on the main front, with a quatrefoil set in a diamond surround above it in the attic.

The rear elevation has a central gable with large lateral stacks to the left and far right. A 3-window range of 2-light stone mullion windows with arch-head lights runs across; the rightmost is blocked. A further similar 3-light window at ground floor right has drip mould and renewed mullions. The attic displays a 3-light stone mullion window. A 19th-century brick lean-to at the base of the cross wing has a plain tile roof. A single-storey range at right angles to the right comprises a garage and outbuildings forming part of the house. A 19th-century lean-to at the intersection with the main house has a slate roof and an ashlar porch with 4-centred head. To the right is a casement with glazing bars and wood lintels. Sofia stone mullion windows feature iron cames. An attached wall to the right of the main front has a 4-centred arch head opening.

Interior

The centre entrance hall contains a wide 18th-century staircase with windows at the head; the attic stair comprises the remains of an original wooden spiral. The room to the right of the entrance hall has cross beams moulded in one direction only, a restored 18th-century fireplace with moulded stone surround and 4-centre hood, and a pair of 18th-century panelled doors. The room to the left of the entrance, formerly the kitchen, has a large open fireplace with bressumer. Two small rooms occupying the ground floor of the central cross wing have raised floor levels with cellars below. These feature close-studded screen walls on the ground and first floors, with ribbed and studded doors having 4-centred arch heads and stone chamfered jambs. The two first-floor rooms contain 16th or 17th-century fireplaces with 4-centred heads, and a panelled cupboard door to the right of the fireplace in one room. Some original roof structure survives. The kitchen, probably 18th-century, has the remains of an open fireplace.

The building is thought to have been the birthplace of John Grimbald, builder of the Trinity College Library and Clare College, Cambridge.

The property includes an attached wall to the south.