Trowell Farmhouse

ST02SW CHIPSTABLE CP -

1/9 Trowell Farmhouse

25.1.56 II*

Longhoue, now farmhoue. C15, ceiled C16 and north-west wing added, east end rebuilt as kitchen possibly C17, roof raised and house largely refenestrated early C19. Roughcast over rubble exposed east gable end, thatched roof, hipped west gable end with tall brick stack rising from eaves, gabled east end with stone plinth to roughcast stack, stone stack centre left of entrance and to rear wing. Complex plan, thought to be longhouse rebuilt at east end where land slopes away steeply to right of cross passage, 2 small rooms to left, wing at rear the width of first room which has panelled screens on north and west sides. Two storeys, 4 bays; first floor 3 and 4-light C19 wooden casements, ground floor two 3-light windows left of 4-panel raised and fielded door, one to right with plank door beyond. Right return, partly masked by lean-to addition but facade wall continues forward slightly. Left return, 4-light ovulo moulded window in outshot containing stairs, single bay wing set back with 4-light casements. Interior not seen, said to contain much of interest. A hip cruck at west gable end and 4 tenoned jointed crucks, the 3 east ones with smoke blackening; the wing has 2 clean tenon jointed crucks. The hall to the right of the cross passage has 6-panel moulded compartment ceiling and stud and panel partitions with linenfold panelling, fine doorframe in screen to inner room with doleg stair. The wing has a 6-panel moulded compartment ceiling and a stall early C18 bolection moulded chimney piece on the upper floor. The cross passage screen has similar panelling with peaked doorframe also panelling masking rear of cross passage with doorframe. Rebuilt kitchen end with lateral stair in rear wall projection, evidence of curing chamber right and circular corn drying or malting kiln left with slate ledge. This is said to be the only known example of linenfold panelling in a Somerset farmhouse. The parlour of the abbot at Muchelney has linenfold panelling and it is known that the manor of Chipstable was given by the abbot to the monastery's cook. A rare and fine example of C15 woodwork. (VAG Reports, unpublished SRC, February 1973 and September 1980; VCH Somerset, Vol V, 1985).

Listing NGR: ST0483526049