Trowell Farmhouse

Trowell Farmhouse is a longhouse, initially dating to the 15th century, with subsequent alterations and additions spanning from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The east end was rebuilt, possibly in the 17th century, and the roof raised, along with largely replacing the windows in the early 19th century. The exterior is characterized by roughcast over rubble stonework and a thatched roof, with a tall brick stack rising from the eaves of the west gable. Other prominent features include a gabled east end with a stone plinth to a roughcast stack, a stone stack centre-left of the entrance, and a rear wing.

The house has a complex plan, believed to be a longhouse rebuilt at the east end where the land slopes steeply. To the left of the cross passage are two small rooms, and a wing extends to the rear, the width of the first room. This rear wing has panelled screens on its north and west sides. The two-storey main section has four bays, with 3 and 4-light wooden casements to the first floor, and two 3-light windows to the left of a 4-panel raised and fielded door on the ground floor. A plank door is located to the right of the entrance.

The interior is said to contain features of interest. The hall, to the right of the cross passage, has a 6-panel moulded compartment ceiling and stud-and-panel partitions with linenfold panelling. A fine doorframe in a screen leads to an inner room with a doleg stair. The rear wing features a 6-panel moulded compartment ceiling and an early 18th-century bolection moulded chimney piece on the upper floor. The cross passage screen has similar panelling with a peaked doorframe, masking the rear of the cross passage. The east end, which houses a rebuilt kitchen, has a lateral stair in a rear wall projection. Evidence suggests a curing chamber was located to the right, and a circular corn drying or malting kiln, with a slate ledge, to the left. Notably, the farmhouse contains linenfold panelling, an uncommon feature, which is believed to be influenced by the nearby manor of Chipstable which was historically linked to the monastery of Muchelney. The west gable contains a hip cruck, and four tenoned jointed crucks, the three east ones demonstrating smoke blackening. This is considered a rare and fine example of 15th-century woodwork.