Description

BROADWOODWIDGER
SX 38 NE
7/43 Thorne Farmhouse
-
GV II
Farmhouse. Late medieval core, C16, C17 and C18 alterations. Probably stone rubble,
whitewashed and rendered; partly thatched, partly slated roof, gabled at the left end
and hipped at the right end of the main range, 2 span slate roof to rear wing with 2
gables to rear. Rendered stack at left end, rendered axial stack at junction between
thatched and slated roof, gable end stack to rear wing.
Late medieval open hall house, possibly with an inner room, ceiled over in the late
C16 when the cross passage and lower end room were added. The hall was heated by a
stack backing on to the passage, the lower end room was probably an unheated service
room. In the circa early C18 the 3 room and through passage plan was extended by the
addition of a rear kitchen and service room with a rear stair. The lower end
fireplace may have been inserted in the early C18 to convert the service room to a
heated parlour. In circa 1800 a new stair was inserted at the rear of the passage.
2 storeys. Asymmetrical 3-window front, the roof thatched at the left and slated at
the right. C20 gabled porch on front to the left of the axial stack leads into the
cross passage. Small bay with sloping slate roof to ground floor right is probably
C18, with a 3-light casement, 6 panes per light. All the fenestration with plain
architraves: 3-light casements, 6 panes per light to ground and first floor left; 2-
light casement, 6 panes per light above porch, 2-light casement, 3 panes per light to
first floor window to left of bay.
Interior Curved foot smoke-blackened truss with E-apex over hall (Alcock). The
hall fireplace blocked with a C20 grate, probably concealing earlier features. The
ceiling has 2 narrow chamfered half beams with cut stops, the ends of the chamfered
central beam have been replaced, chamfered joists have step stops. A trimmer beam
indicates that a straight stair existed at one time to the right of the fireplace,
probably replacing an earlier newel. The projecting bay has an C18 planked back.
The front door to the passage is cross-planked with imitation bolts in wooden studs:
it is either a notable C17 door but "might be C18/C19 archaic" (Alcock). A similar
rear side door to the passage is narrower with the horizontal planks to the exterior
and may have been reversed when the rear stair was inserted. The passage has 2
chamfered half beams, one with a scroll stop. The circa 1800 rear stair is high
status with a turned newel post. The lower end room (left) has a fireplace with a
plain lintel and a recess to the right with a low rough lintel. There is a moulded
cornice and a cross and half beam with small scroll stops. Circa late C18/early C19
parlour china cupboard. The first floor has a chamfered C17 doorframe with scroll
stops.
A house with a very unspoiled interior illustrating the small scale of some high
status west Devon houses when compared with those in east Devon and described as an
"important example of successive developments of a small west Devon farmhouse"
(Alcock).
Alcock, MS notes dated July 1980.

Listing NGR: SX3909088319

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26458355

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

• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (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