Higher Southtown Farmhouse

Farmhouse. Dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, with an inscribed date of 1611 on an attic window. The farmhouse is built of dressed stone and coursed rubble, with alternating bands on the left wing, and has a double Roman tile roof with coped verges. Brick stacks are set on earlier bases. It has a roughly L-shaped plan, based on a 3-unit and cross-passage layout, with later additions. The two-storey front has a 1:1:1:1 bay arrangement; the left bay projects with a gable, and contains a four-light ovolo-moulded wooden mullioned window on the ground floor, and a similar three-light window above. The right three bays have three and four-light ovolo-moulded stone mullioned windows with labels; the right window on the first floor is hollow moulded, the central window is of two lights with a wooden mullion, set directly under the eaves. First-floor windows are set within dormer gables with copings and kneelers, with stanchion bars and cast-iron casements, some with small square-paned leaded lights. A studded plank door with iron strap hinges is set in an ovolo-moulded and pegged wooden surround, with a corresponding door on the cross-passage to the rear. A decorative scrolled panel is in the gable face of the right return. Inside, there are two moulded cross-beamed ceilings. The left ground-floor room has elaborate decoration including bosses carved as Tudor roses, along with re-used 18th century panelling, a niche cupboard to the right of the fireplace, and a door with a naive 18th century painting of a goddess. There are two fireplaces with broad wooden bressumers, one with a four-centred arch. A 18th century staircase winds upwards, with a door at its base and a narrow stair-light.