Peartree Farmhouse

Peartree Farmhouse is a 2½-storey timber-framed house, likely dating to the 17th century, with later alterations. It has a T-shaped plan, comprising a north-south main range and a short west wing. The house is constructed with small-panel framing, with original brick nogging and a plinth, and has a slate roof and brick stacks.

The external appearance is characterized by the upper tier of framing in each elevation being set at a different level than the lower framing, suggesting a later addition. The main range features two massive external brick stacks in the east side wall; the stack to the north side, serving the hall, has a rebuilt 19th-century shaft, while the stack to the parlour has two diagonal shafts. Most windows are small-pane steel-framed casements inserted in the mid-20th century, replacing earlier, smaller openings. The north gable end contains the main entrance, with a boarded door on the right side of the range and a three-light window in the centre. The upper storey projects on moulded consoles, supporting a four-light window, and the gable, which is also a later addition, projects further on similar consoles and incorporates a fixed attic window. The south gable end of the main range mirrors the north side with close studding between storeys, four-light windows, a fixed attic window, a projecting upper storey, and a later projecting gable.

The west wing’s side wall is primarily brick, except for a 19th-century timber framing at the upper level. The gable end of the wing has been partly rebuilt in brick, preserving the 19th-century upper tier of framing and the gable itself. Original timber framing remains in situ on the right side of the wing, incorporating what seems to be an inserted first-floor doorway, suggesting the wing was originally longer. A two-light window is situated in the upper storey, and another two-light window is present on the north side wall in the lower storey.

A single-storey 19th-century brick extension, with a boarded door and a three-light window in its south wall, is set back on the east side of the north front.

Inside, the house retains box-framed partitions. The hall on the north side features two cross beams with ogee stops, and the timber lintel over the fireplace has run-out stops. Near the opposite end of the hall is a single door post with an ovolo moulding, potentially indicating a former post-and-panel partition. The parlour to the south preserves two cross beams with ovolo moulding, and its fireplace has brick jambs and a massive chamfered freestone lintel. The stairs are modern, and a segmental door head is located at the top of the stairs. Additionally, a triangular and another segmental door head in the upper storey appear to have been re-used.