Description

SX 86 NE ABBOTSKERSWELL MAIN STREET
Abbotskerswell
3/25 Mote Cottage
-
GV II
Cottage, formerly probably farmhouse. Early-mid C16, altered in C17, probably
partially reconstructed in C18, modernised in C20. Rendered rubble walls, ½ hipped
thatched roof. 2 rendered rubble lateral stacks with dripcourses, one at front, one
at rear.
Originally likely to have been 3 room and through-passage which had a central hearth
and was open to the roof at least over the hall and lower end. Ceiled in circa
early C17 with lateral stack added to front of lower room. . The completely
different and later roof structure over the inner room and the lack of early
features at that end suggest that it was considerably reconstructed probably in the
C18; alternatively it is possible that the house originally had a 2 room plan which
was extended at this time, although that would be more unusual. The plan at present
consists of 3 main rooms with the former lower and inner room heated by lateral
stacks, but the central room - the former hall - unusually, is without a
fireplace.
Probably in the C18 a small lean-to outbuilding with external access was added at
the front of the right end of the house.
2 storeys. Asymmetrical 2 window front, 3 on ground floor. Mainly C20 2-light
casements with glazing bars. Single window to right and far right on ground floor;
ground floor left-hand window does not have glazing bars. C20 plank door towards
left-hand end under slate porch hood. Thatched lean-to outbuilding projects to the
right of the stack which is towards the right-hand end.
Interior: A complete 2 bay smoke-blackened roof survives over the lower room
passage and part of the hall. There is a pair of principal rafters which may
originally have been jointed crucks but rest at the front on a template. 1 threaded
purlin, morticed apex with diagonal ridge, the morticed collar has been removed.
The truss appears originally to have had staves in it from the evidence of stave
holes on the soffits of both principal rafters but the equal smoke blackening either
side of the truss shows that it was never completely closed. At the inner room end
of the roof are later substantial clean principal rafters with lapped and pegged
collars. In the lower room the fireplace has a chamfered wood lintel with run out
stops. The cross beams are similarly decorated. The fireplace in the inner room
has been reconstructed in C20.
A photograph of the house at the turn of the century shows the original position of
the door to have been at the left of the front lateral stack.

Listing NGR: SX8576368701

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26389588

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  ENGLAND GUIDE TO POST WAR LISTED: A Guide to Post-war Listed Buildings
• 
  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas