The Croft

The Croft is a house located on Church Street in Church Fenton. It likely dates from the 16th century or earlier, with later additions and alterations, including a probable 17th-century range and a 20th-century extension at the rear. The building is timber framed, now rendered, and features stone slate and pantile roofs. The main block has two storeys and three unequal bays, and it was probably originally double aisled with an outshut to the rear. There is an added range at right angles, which likely replaces an earlier wing and is set slightly back to the right. The entrance is off-centre and features a 20th-century part-glazed door. Throughout the house, there are 20th-century casement windows. The added range has a hipped roof with a pent-roofed adjunct at the join, and there are end stacks. The rear extension has a catslide roof.

Inside, the substantial timber frame is exposed, showcasing massive timbers, jowled posts with straight braces, and wall studding. Some tension braces are present. The aisle plate features a short section of filleted ovolo and hollow chamfer moulding, which has been cut off at the later extension. The common rafter roof shows mortices for original collars and has kerb principals with clasped and trenched purlins. A cambered central tie beam has mortices suggesting a possible former crown post with side braces. There is evidence of smoke blackening, and pigeon nesting boxes are located in the roof of the later range.