Summary
A late medieval or early post-medieval timber-framed cottage, later encased in stone.
Reasons for Designation
Old House Farmhouse is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Architectural Interest:
* as a pre-1700 domestic property which retains its historic planform and character, this is a good example of a post-medieval timber-framed farmhouse;
* the property retains a significant proportion of its historic fabric, demonstrating the phases of the building’s evolution.
Historic Interest:
* its legibility as a post-medieval farmhouse is retained, illustrating the development of vernacular architecture in the area.
History
Old House Farmhouse is thought to originate from the end of the medieval or early post-medieval period, likely as a three-bay timber-framed cottage. It was probably originally single-storey and may have had an open hall. The upper floor was probably inserted later, as was common in dwellings of this type, perhaps at the same time as the stone casing of the timber-frame. The timber-framed north bay is also a later addition, possibly C17. It is first referred to, as Old House Farm, in a valuation of the Scudamore estate in 1769. In 1840, when ‘Old House’ and some of the surrounding outbuildings are shown on the tithe map, it was owned by John Lucy Scudamore of Kentchurch Court (NHLE 1157632) and tenanted to John Cooke. There have been alterations in the C20, including the addition of a porch.
Details
An early post-medieval timber-framed cottage, later encased in stone.
MATERIALS: the house is constructed of stone, with a later timber-framed bay and timber truss roof structure and slate roof covering.
PLAN: the farmhouse is rectangular on plan, with a protruding porch to the western elevation.
EXTERIOR. The principal three bays are stone, encasing the original timber frame. The roof is slate and there are two chimney stacks to this part: one at the south gable end of stone and a stack at the north end that is a modern brick rebuilding. The principal (east) elevation has two entrances, of which the northernmost leads into a hall. Gabled dormers to each of the bays. The first bay from the south has a modern window and door, both below flat stone lintels. The second bay has a similarly modern window, below a gauged brickwork arch, which matches the arch of the entrance in the third bay.
The rear elevation is similar in style. The entrance to the hall on this side survives but obscured by the C20 porch of yellow brick. The southernmost bay has two windows below a flat, concrete lintel. The adjacent bay has a similar ground floor window, with a smaller window above with a concrete sill. The southern gable end is plain. A small window is positioned off-centre to the upper floor.
The later fourth bay has an exposed timber frame of large square panels and diagonal bracing, with plaster infill, set on a stone plinth. It has a slate roof, hipped at the north end. Modern windows have been inserted to each of the north, east and west sides.
INTERIOR: the principal entrance leads into a hall with an opposing door leading into the modern rear porch. The central bay, now dining room, has a large stone, inglenook fireplace with a modern inserted lintel. The southernmost bay has a later fireplace, behind which is a staircase. This stair is thought to be later than the original structure, likely added when the cottage was encased in stone.
At the upper level, the tie beam has been cut to create doorways, suggesting that the first floor was inserted at a later date. The roof is comprised of machine sawn common rafters and hand sawn ridge beam.
