The Old Court

The Old Court is a timber-framed house with brick infill panels set on a stone plinth, featuring a slate roof and casement windows. It dates to the 10th century and comprises a two-storey, two-bay main range, likely a hall and service wing, with a gabled cross wing to the right. The main range demonstrates square panelled timber framing, with the original height clearly apparent through visible wall plates and framing elements. Infill panels are exposed on the main range, while the cross wing has a rendered finish.

The original main range includes a boarded door, offset to the right, aligned with a brick ridge stack and a gabled porch. A small, inserted window provides light to the stairs leading to the cross wing. Ground-floor windows consist of 6 and 8-light examples to the hall and service end, and a 6-light window to the first floor. A small brick gable stack is also present. The rear elevation features a part-glazed lean-to to the right, a single 6-light casement, and two gabled dormers. The cross wing showcases a three-tiered box framed construction with two 4-light casements and a matching window in the gable, both front and rear. A single-storey brick range is attached to the rear.

The hall within the original main range contains a large fireplace on the right, with a lobby entrance in front and a passage through the right-hand cross wing at its rear. A 10th-century fireside settlement and mantle are present. A timber-framed partition separates the hall from the service end, incorporating two doorways: one leading to stone steps down to the cellar beneath the service end, and another leading to the rear of the service wing. These doorways have been altered, with the door heads cut back and raised. An axial beam with broad chamfers and diagonal stops, possibly a later insertion, is visible. The service end features a gable fireplace and a timber partition enclosing the cellar steps. The cross wing includes a large fireplace backing onto that of the hall, with an integral framed partition, altered to form a pantry.

The first floor is accessed by modern stairs from the lobby entrance, leading to a chamber within the cross wing, where in-situ purlins are visible. On the opposite side are chambers spanning both the hall and service end. The service chamber was formerly partitioned into two rooms. Exposed framing and trusses are visible, with the trusses likely raised and reused.