Description

SAMPFORD COURTENAY
SS 69 NW
8/157 Rowden
22.2.67
II

House originally farmhouse or cottage. Probably C17 origins or earlier but almost
completely remodelled and extended in mid and late C20, the earlier work done by
Philip Tilden who owned the house in the early-aid C20. Stone rubble walls. Hipped
thatch roof. 3 stone stacks - the one axial to the main range may possibly be
original, the others C20.
Plan: original plan form has been totally obscured by the later alterations and
additions although the 2 rooms that occupy the main range of the house represent
what is left of the early house. The mid C20 additions comprise a small rear wing
and a projecting range at the front of tne right-hand side which on the first floor
overhangs a form of loggia porch. To the right of this and projecting further at
the front is another range added in 197O. With the mid C20 additions a considerable
amount of old material from other houses (which presumably Philip Tilden was working
on) was introduced into the house - making it very difficult now to recognise what
is actually original.
Exterior: 2 storeys. Asymmetrical front, the right-hand side of which projects in
2 stages with gable ends. The main range to the left has 2 windows wnicn are mid
C20 4-light leaded pane wooden mullions. The first projecting part, immediately to
the right has a catslide roof to its left-hand side and at the front the first floor
overhangs considerably on a richly moulded beam which is supported on a carved post
to the left. Below it is a C20 plank door set in a re-used richly moulded C17
wooden doorframe. To the right of it is a re-used 3-light stone mullion window. On
the left-hand wall of this projection is a re-used and partially re-constructed C15
stone mullion window- 3 lights with cinque-foiled heads. The section projecting at
the right end was added in 1970 (the date is recorded on the wall) and has a garage
on the ground floor at the front. The rear elevation has similar C20 wooden mullion
windows and also re-uses a stone medieval arched doorway.
Interior has some very good quality timber features but all appear to be re-used
from other houses. The main room in the older part has an axial beam with foliage
carving along it. The possibly original granite-framed fireplace has been filled
with a C20 stone fireplace. At the rear of the room is an early C17 wooden double
doorframe. The room to the rear re-uses some C17 panelling with carved geometric
design on the lower part of the walls. Its fireplace has a rough granite frame with
some painting on it reputed to be by Philip Tilden. High quality late C17
staircase with barleytwist balusters, closed string and moulded handrail which has
inlaid carving to the bannisters at the top. In the first floor front room is a
section of very fine moulded plank and muntin screen.
The true early origins of this house have been virtually completely concealed by C20
extension and re-modelling but these have an interest of their own not only because
of the connection with the architect Philip Tilden but also because they
incorporated the introduction of several high quality C16 and C17 pieces of
craftsmanship.

Listing NGR: SX6451598910

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26440123

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 Care and Repair
• 
  Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Period property manual, victorian house manual 2 books collection set by ian rock