Middle Birks Farmhouse

SD 76 NW 7/1 20.2.58

AUSTWICK Middle Birks Farmhouse

II

Farmhouse. Dated 1633 with gabled entrance porch dated 1697, C19 and C20 alte- rations. Slobbered rubble and squared rubble, stone dressings, stone slate and slate roof. 2 storeys, 4 bays. Left-hand bay is later than main build and contains central waggon entrance to cartshed, 2 leaf plank doors. Central 2 storey gabled entrance porch has entrance right of centre with moulded chamfered surround, decorated lintel, and decorated datestone over lintel inscribed N / E C (Edward and Catherine Nowell). Hoodmould lifts over lintel and datestone and continues over single-light window with moulded chamfered lintel to left and right of entrance. Left-hand return to porch contains 2-light chamfered window and hoodmould; right-hand return contains single light chamfered window. Two right-hand bays contain C20 ground floor window, C20 ground floor entrance, former 2-light chamfered mullioned window, mullion now missing; C20 casements. Upper floor: left-hand bay single light window, sashes with glazing bars; 3 light chamfered window with cavetto mullions, stepped central light, hoodmould to porch; right-hand former 3-light chamfered window with cavetto mullions, and right-hand mullion now missing; and stepped 3-light chamfered window with ovolo mullions and stepped hoodmould; C20 casements and fixed lights. Eaves mullions. Gable coping and kneelers to porch. Left-hand projecting gable end, left of centre and right-hand ridge stacks; C19 stack to left-hand angle with porch. At rear is former fire window, single light with chamfered surround; slate dripstone. Interior: former entrance inside porch has 1633 inscribed on plaster coating to lintel. Reused chamfered beams former parlour possibly late C16/early C17. Bathroom, above porch, contains 2 tiers of plaster panelling in bolection moulding and C17 frieze of festoons. Attic contains remains of timber fire hood.

Listing NGR: SD7367065071