Description

SS 72 SE BISHOP'S NYMPTON

6/24 Parsonage Farmhouse

II

Farmhouse, possibly originally a manor house. Late medieval origins with late C17, early C18 and circa mid C19 alterations. Colourwashed rendered stone rubble; 2-span asbestos slate roof to the main (south) block, hipped at the west ends, similar roof to the east wing, gabled at the north end; projecting stone rubble end stacks to the main block, internal end stack to the east wing. Plan: Double-depth south-facing main block with an east wing, at right angles to the main block and abutting it. West wing, also at right angles to the main block but projecting to the front with no internal access to the main block. Complex evolution, evident in the roof structure. The east wing is the earliest dateable part of the house, originating as a medieval 2 cell open hall range of high status with a 2-bay hall to the south and one bay of the lower end to the north divided from the hall by a closed truss heavily sooted on the north side. It seems likely that there were 2 open hearths. In 1850 (White's Devon) a barn on the site, probably the west wing, was described as having a "carved ceiling" and was thought to have been a chapel. The wing preserves a probably early C16 doorframe on the inner (east) return. The present owner has heard that the carved ceiling was moved, although there may be some remaining evidence not seen at time of survey (1987). Although the main (south) block appears externally to be C19 the front span has a mid/late C17 roof structure and the rear span a probably C18 roof structure. Although the details of the evolution of the house are not entirely clear, by the mid/late C17 it consisted of at least 3 separately-roofed blocks. It is reputed to have been the site of the Bishop's manor house at Bishop's Nympton. Exterior: 2 storeys. 3-bay symmetrical south elevation to the main block with central C20 porch flanked by mid/late C19 tripartite sashes with glazing bars. Mid C19 20-pane sashes to the first floor left and right with a central 16-pane mid C19 round-headed sash. The right return (east elevation) belongs to the medieval range: the walls are very irregular at the right end with scattered fenestration of various designs, 2 first floor and 2 ground floor windows. The inner (east) return of the west wing has a shouldered, early C16 doorframe to the left, the doorway is blocked. the south end of the wing has a garage door and C20 window above. The west elevation of the east wing has a slate pentice roof. Interior: The right hand room in the main block has chamfered crossbeams and there is a large, partly-blocked, open fireplace at the north end of the east wing. Other features may exist beneath the plaster. The first floor has a set of C18 2-panel doors. Roof: The east wing retains a probably C15 sooted roof structure dating from an open hall phase. At the south end of the wing a 2-bay roof with one main arched brace truss has chamfered purlins, 2 tiers of wind braces and no ridge. The rafters no longer exist and the post medieval hip at the south end has truncated the roof structure which might have continued further to the south. A closed truss to the north of this roof is heavily sooted on the north side with the remains of 2 further bays, the main truss collar rafter with wind braces but no arched braces. The feet of the medieval trusses are not visible but are, presumably, crucks of some kind. The front roof of the main block has a C17 collar rafter roof structure with the collars lap dovetailed into the principals. The rear roof is probably C18 with X apexes. The roof of the west wing was not inspected at time of survey but it is possible that medieval timbers survive. A house with high quality medieval origins and a long building history.

Listing NGR: SS7623624049

External Links

• Wikidata Q26456167

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Recommended Books

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  County Durham (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England) by Elizabeth Williamson Nikolaus Pevsner(1983-03-11)
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  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
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  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
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  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
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  London 6: Westminster (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England): Westminster v. 6
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides): Written by Charles O'Brien, 2014 Edition, Publisher: Yale University Press [Hardcover]