Furness Abbey, Former Custodian'S Cottage

BARROW IN FURNESS

SD27SW ABBEY APPROACH 708-1/4/280 Furness Abbey, former custodian's 21/07/93 cottage (Formerly Listed as: FURNESS ABBEY Former Custodian's Cottage)

II

Dwelling, the remnant of a larger, earlier building. Roof timbers dendrochronologically dated to late C15; exterior fabric extensively remodelled late C19. Coursed sandstone rubble, some massive, with C19 dressings. Westmoreland slate roof with single inserted ridge stack. 2-bay plan with C19 end wall entry and substantially raised ground floor level. North elevation a broad gable with central doorway beneath shallow lintel. Flanking the doorway are C19 chamfered mullioned windows, of 3 lights to the left, 2 lights to the right. 2-light window above door. Side walls with blocked mullioned windows at floor level, and small blocked lancets to wall centres at eaves level. West side with two C19 openings, south gable with 2 lean-to extensions. INTERIOR mainly remodelled in C19, arches to blocked window reveals in side walls are visible. Roof truss of heavy scantling against north gable with cambered collar and tie beam, apparently smoke-blackened as are the timbers of a central open truss, the principal rafters of which are carried on the ends of an interrupted tie beam with corbel supports below. Double trenched purlins, ridge purlin replaced. The building was formerly thought to have been a water-powered mill; its significance lies in its roof carpentry which may be some of the earliest surviving roof timbering of the Abbey site.

Listing NGR: SD2195871652