Description

SS 32 SE
5/171a

PARKHAM
BOCOMBE
Barn at Nethercott

II

Former longhouse, now barn. Probable C16 origins, modified C17 and C20.
Rubble and cob, concrete block repairs and insertions; corrugated iron roof.
The building has been subject to severe decline in the C20, but was originally
a longhouse, with through passage towards east end, and apparent two room
dwelling to the left, or west end; there is a possibility that the principal
entrance, now from the south, was originally on the north side, subsequently
atrophied by sinking of a new approach lane on that side. Left end is hipped,
over a wall rebuilt in stone, right end, with remains of large external
stack, gabled; this end probably modified to include fireplace, but originally
thought to have been animal house. South front, in 2 storeys, has various
openings, including a 2-light C19 casement over square opening in former
doorway at left, and, far left, a plank door. Section rebuilt in concrete
block contains plank door, and to right are two square openings, one at
each level. After stretch of stone walling long run now faced with corrugated
sheeting, with 2 doors, some exposed stone and cob at corner. Return has
left of stack a 2-light diagonal mullioned casement with original board
shelters, blocked within by cob, over a second small square light, also
blocked. The back, or north side, stands well up from the lane leading
to Nethercott (q.v.) and is two thirds cob and one third concrete block.

Interior: Roof, in bays, is an A frame C19 replacement; floors are mainly
in stone setts. Entrance to throughway, has right room with bressumer on
good stone cheeks to fireplace; the cambered bressumer carries cob walling.
Left of throughway is central stack, now cut back below ridge, with lofty
bressumer fire containing cloam oven; the stone cheeks are dressed to form
canted sides to fire opening, and the flue, in cob, remains as built. Centrally
to this main room is a transverse beam c 275mm deep and 300mm wide, with
ovolo mould, and with for floor joists, now mainly gone. The
south end of this beam is carried on a large, roughly rounded pier in stone
built out from the outer wall. Beyond central room a small room to west,
formerly with access, but now approached from outside. Although the internal
partitions are only part-height, and outer walls are patched, with a late
roof construction, this is a rare survival in this part of North Devon of
a longhouse structure, and consequently is of considerable historical interest.
The present owners (September 1988) have established considerable documentation
covering the history of the farm.

Listing NGR: SS3753421731

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26399090

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

• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Cornwall (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2