Old Campston

A long low stone built house, down-hill sited. Sandstone rubble walls (extensively reconstructed) with steeply pitched Welsh slate roof (renewed). Axial stone stack. Modern oak mullioned windows with timber lintels in both long elevations, with doorway in porch towards left end of NW elevation, and further doorway towards left of SE elevation.

Interior retains much of its historic layout and fabric. Plan comprises single bay hall with small inner room or parlour at its upper end (beyond which is a further small bay, presumably added later?), and former cross-passage (occupied by inserted stack) below. These 3 units of the original late-medieval house are divided by cruck trusses (that above inner room now encased in a stone wall). Beyond the former passage, is a large parlour bay, added to the original hall house and probably replacing the byre of a long-house. Hall and original parlour are separated by a fine post-and-panel partition, probably belonging to the open-hall phase, though not primary to it. This partition has chamfered posts to the hall side, and bears traces of probably C16 painting. On the hall side, a series of trumpet or vase-like shapes may be discerned, outlined in black; whilst on the parlour side, are traces of several winged angels, outlined in black but with clear traces of other pigment. Both rooms have heavy stop-chamfered cross-beams and chamfered joists all with run-out stops, dating from the flooring over of the hall in c1600. Fireplace has modern lintel (based on the decayed original) and chimney stairs. At the lower end, the later C17 layout may be traced through the position and decoration of the ceiling beams, which together with many of the joists, are chamfered with ogee stops. It thus appears to have comprised large parlour with smaller entrance lobby to the NW. Upstairs, the two surviving cruck trusses (between hall and inner parlour and hall and former passage bay) are visible: they are of identifiable Monmouthshire type, with substantial saddle, collar and tie-beam. That over parlour partition has spurs connecting to wall plate and a broad fillet of timber to align the roof with the broader passage truss.