Description

SS 90 NE BICKLEIGH
6/6 Higher Brithayes Farmhouse
II
Farmhouse. Circa mid C18. Whitewashed rendered stone, rear wall unrendered; slate
roof, gabled at ends; right end stack, stack to rear of ridge; left end stack, shaft
dismantled.
Plan: An interesting transitional plan form, combining the asymmetry and chimney
stack positions of the pre C18 3 room and cross passage arrangement with the later
design of linking the stairs with the main entrance and providing carefully-planned
service rooms. 3 rooms wide with a cross passage containing the stair to left of
centre, the passage continuing between narrow rear service rooms in an integral
outshut with a catslide roof. The 3 principal rooms are parlour (formerly heated by
a left end stack) to the left of the passage; living room in the centre, heated by a
stack on the rear wall and kitchen to the right heated by the right end stack. An
axial passage runs to the rear of the living room and kitchen with a series of
service rooms behind it with attic accommodation above. The axial passage is entered
from the rear of the kitchen, has a service stair at the right end and opens into the
rear of the through passage at the left end, giving complete access to all the
service rooms and service accommodation from the rear of the house without any
necessity to enter the principal rooms. A large single-storey block adjoining the
right end has probably always been a fuel stone.
2 storeys. Almost symmetrical 4 window front, panelled front door into passage to
left of centre with a flat porch canopy carried on moulded timber brackets;
additional door with similar porch canopy on front to right of centre leading
directly into the kitchen. 3-light casements, 4 panes per light except first floor
window above front door which is a similar 2-light casement.
Interior The principal ground floor rooms all have C18 doors with 2 fielded panels
and HL hinges. Stick baluster stair with a turned newel. C20 grates, massive
circular bread oven to kitchen fireplace projecting into the storage room adjoining
at the right end. The service rooms have plank doors and strap hinges with gudgeon
hooks.
The house is said formerly to have had an C18 datestone on the front wall.
Intact C18 farmhouses are rare in Devon, Higher Brithayes is a fine example with a
particularly interesting plan form and surviving joinery.

Listing NGR: SS9618807530

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26400783

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

• 
  Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East: Norwich and North-east v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy