Bridge Farmhouse

ST41SW LOPEN CP

Bridge Farmhouse 5/43 II

Detached farmhouse. Possibly C15, reshaped C16, C17 and C19. Ham stone ashlar facade, coursed rubble to sides and rear; double Roman clay tiled roof between high stepped coped gables suggesting former thatch; brick end and intermediate chimney stacks. 'L'-plan; 2 storeys, 4-bay east elevation. Plinth: below, hollow-chamfered mullioned windows in chamfered recesses, of 3 and 4 lights, to bays 1 and 3; reverse-chamfer mullioned windows of 3 lights in chamfered recess to bay 4, all with labels; above, 3-light horizontal-bar casements: to lower bay 2 a C20 door in plain recess, up one step. In south gable a blocked doorway below and blocked window to first floor: C20 windows in north gable: extension to rear. Interior not seen, but reported is a 3-room cross-passage plan with single-room rear wing of original date, with remains of 3 jointed crucks, two smoke blackened, and some cob walling at the rear: hall fireplace blocked, as is section of surviving stair alongside: south room has a six-section beam and panel ceiling, the panels of unusual size but apparently unaltered - the room, now used as a store, retains an earth floor; wing housed kitchen, with fireplace, brick oven and traces of a curing chamber: some carved initials of C17 and C18 to hall fireplace. (VAG report, unpublished SRO, January 1977).

Listing NGR: ST4280613934