Trewern Hall

Trewern Hall is a large timber-framed house, largely dating to the early 17th century, with significant alterations and additions in the 1840s. Originally a two-bay low hall with a lateral stack, it was later given a major brick axial stack around 1840, creating a lobby entry at the east end. Behind this is the original two-bay cross wing, built on a slightly different alignment. Further additions include a kitchen and service dairy to the rear, now forming a separate dwelling. At the higher end of the hall is another two-bay cross wing, with a parlour and service room, the parlour side of the axial stack being formerly decorated with horizontal stripes of grey and sanguine paint.

The main timber frame is close-studded with a central rail to each storey, the upper panels of the upper floor divided into decorative square panels with angle braces. The upper floor of the porch and oriel are jettied on dragon-beam brackets with carved scrolls, and the main parlour gable features herringbone timbering. The earlier service wing has square-panelled framing. The porch originally had an open front with high windows on either side; the outer door frame head now displays a reset inscription dating to 1610. Around 1840, the west gable and south wall of the parlour wing and the hall were faced with stone, and the stair was moved to the west end of the cross passage.

Restoration work included raising the front of the building by approximately 450mm to remedy failed posts and plates, and the construction of a new oak-framed extension to the service wing, creating a wider gable and enclosing the oven behind the main stack.

The main hall and parlour wing feature a ribbed brick stack, rebuilt in a star pattern, reflecting the form of the original. A new oak entrance door and mostly new windows are present, with applied oak frames designed to resemble 17th-century patterns, although the earlier wing’s shaped sills are integral with the frame as originally constructed. These windows contain diamond-leaded glazing.

Inside, the hall has a spine beam with reserved arris ovolo mouldings. A reused fire lintel, set around 1860, is visible in the main stack. Ceiling beams elsewhere are ovolo or deeply chamfered, with chamfered joists and cut stops at the parlour end. New oak boarded doors are fitted with contemporary wrought strap hinges. Surviving trimming provides ladder access to the first floor in the service wing. Joints are bridged longitudinally.

Roof trusses in the earlier wing have high-set collars, small raking struts and a double tier of trenched purlins, with short straight windbraces. Trusses over the hall originally closed over the cross passage. Rafters are tenoned into a single tier of purlins. One tie beam bears the initials and date RF 1610.