High House

THORNTON-ON-THE-HILL THORNTON LANE SE 57 SW (west side) 5/78 - High House - II

Farmhouse. Probably C15, with late C16 or early C17 rear wing, mid-C18 addi- tions, and alterations dated 1884, the 1884 work for Sir George Orby Wombwell. Sandstone dressed in deep courses, C20 artificial slate roofs. T-shaped plan. Main range of 2 storeys and loft, 2 bays, with lower 2-storey wing to rear left, and with 2-storey lower addition of 2 builds set back to left. Central C20 part-glazed door below narrow overlight, flanked by C20 casement windows, that to right partly in surround of old window with relieving arch above. On first floor, 16-pane sash windows, and in centre a pointed-arched panel bearing date and ligatured initials of Sir George Orby Wombwell, surmounted by a unicorn's head. Rebuilt brick end stacks, that to right surmounting a huge stepped external stack. Rear: wing has been doubled in width. Left return: blocked single light first-floor window; C19 first-floor window; loft window. Right return: to rear of external stack, blocked single-light chamfered window with trefoiled cusping. Interior: in rear wall, now forming doorway to dairy in rear wing, Tudor-arched door surround with ogee and hollow mouldings on high stops; deeply-splayed window on first floor; c.1800 cast-iron fire-grate in bedroom of left wing. The site of a deserted medieval village is marked on the 1:10 000 Ordnance Survey map just north of the farm complex, and it seems likely that some medieval work survives in situ in High House.

Listing NGR: SE5320574082