Benson Hall

Benson Hall is a farmhouse that likely dates back to the 16th century, with extensions from the 18th and 19th centuries. It is constructed of stone rubble and features slate roofs. The west facade consists of three storeys and three bays, with the second and third bays being from the 18th century. The windows have flat arches and are sashed with vertical glazing bars and horns; the first bay on the ground floor has a small light. There is a possible loop window on the second floor, and the entrance to the second bay has a 20th-century door. The building has gable-end stacks, and the north return features sashed windows and attic windows. The south return has a blocked entrance and two windows, with the first being a former entrance located under a drip course on the ground floor. The east elevation has a projection at the north end under a catslide roof with a canted angle. There is a round-headed stair window with small-paned fixed glazing and top intersecting glazing bars, along with a large single-storey gabled extension from the 19th century.

Inside, there is a thick wall that forms the original east wall of the first bay, with an entrance passage that includes draw bar holes for a former external entrance. Oval holes in the floors above the passage have iron grilles in timber frames, and there is a rectangular hole in the attic floor, likely for hoisting purposes. A spiral stair opens off the passage, leading to a vaulted chamber on the ground floor. The stair features an open string, with the upper flight having two turned balusters per tread and balustrading leading to the second floor. The doors are six-fielded-panel style with H-L hinges and drop handles. A room on the first floor has an entrance to the spiral stair and a closet that opens to a small chamber in the floor, possibly a priest hide. This room also has cased beams, a dado rail, and a cornice, with a fireplace that features an eared architrave, lattice frieze, and dentilled cornice; a similar room has a later partition. The attic, which was not inspected, is said to have moulded beams with run-out stops, likely from the 16th century, and access down a ladder to a chamber in the north-east angle, which is referred to as a cock pit but may also serve as a priest hide or storage space.