Great Halmpstone

Details

BISHOPS TAWTON SS 52 NE 10/10 Great Halmpstone - GV II*

Mansion house, now farmhouse. Probably C15 but earlier fabric may be concealed, entirely remodelled c.1700. Stone rubble with brick plat-band. Slate roofs with crested ridge tiles, hipped to front range with coved eaves cornice. Brick shafts to rear lateral stacks to each end of main range, that to left with slated offsets, that to right enclosed in rear extension which has a further ridge stack and triple diagonally set brick shafts to the gable end. The remodelled front range comprises symmetrical facade with a large principal room each side of wide entrance hall with stair turret to rear. The thicknesses of the partition walls to each side of the entrance hall are, however, entirely different, and, in fact, the much thicker dividing wall on the east side aligns with the right-angled rear wing forming an overall L-shaped plan. The wing and the eastern portion of the main range, therefore, appear to contain the earliest fabric with rebuilding of the western portion of the main range to create a symmetrical facade c.1700. 2 storeys and attic storey. 3 gabled dormers with 2-light windows, 3-panes per light, 5-window range of 2-light cross windows, 4 over 6 panes with a weathered continuous plasterwork cornice hoodmould. Ground floor has two 2-light cross windows, 4 over 8 panes rising to just below plat-band which is interrupted by wide relieving arch infilled with plank door with 2-paned overlight inserted. Rear wing on east side has one 3-light and a 2-light ovolo timber mullion window close to eaves level above 2 doorways, infilled to right side. 2-light over 3-light window at left end. Dairy outshut in the angle of the main range and rear wing has a timber 3-light ovolo mullion window at its right end. Interior: principal room to east has stone bolection-moulded chimneypiece. All 4 walls are panelled with large panels above and lying panels below thin dado rail with integral shutters to the windows, cupboards on east wall and bolection moulded door surround. Fireplace blocked up in principal room to west which has 2 ceiling beams, plastered over. Dog-leg staircase with acorn finials to the heavy newels of square section, moulded handrail and turned balusters. Bolection moulded chimneypiece across the corner of the east bedroom. Moulded plaster cornice to bedroom over entrance hall. The roof structure is only partially accessible in the attic storey, the principal truss appearing to be that over the east end of the main range which has heavy principals with short curved feet, and an arch braced collar tenoned into mortices to the soffits of the principals, the arch bracing with chamfers to both arrises and joining at the centre of the collar. Originally 3 tiers of threaded purlins. The truss may be reset, but it is possible that the 4 remaining trusses to the main range are also medieval, the 2 at the west end particularly appear to have curved and possibly jointed feet, but no arch bracing. The purlins have been sawn through when the dormers were inserted.

Listing NGR: SS5943228354

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

98488

Legacy System:

LBS

End of official list entry

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