Description

SS 81 SE CRUWYS MORCHARD NORTHCOTE LANE
2/88 Northcote Farmhouse
-
II
Farmhouse. Circa early C16 origins, remodelled in the C17, extended and further
remodelled probably in the C18 or C19, 1980s rear addition. Colourwashed rendered
cob and stone rubble ; asbestos slate roof, gabled at ends; end stacks, axial
(formerly lateral) stack with stone shaft.
Plan and Development: The present plan consists of a south facing single depth main
range, 3 rooms wide with an entrance to left of centre. A rear centre wing at right
angles to the main range is in use as a store ; C20 single-storey addition in right
angle between rear wing and rear right of main range. Complex evolution. The
building has a late medieval core but the medieval house was aligned north/south at
right angles to the present main range; one end of the late medieval house has
subsequently been roofed over on the east/west alignment of the present main range.
Thus the earliest structure on plan is the centre room of the main range and the rear
wing. This was an open hall house, the 3 southern-most bays open to the roof
timbers, the northern end (rear wing of main range) possibly always storeyed (roof
timbers replaced). The details of the medieval arrangment and its subsequent
remodelling in the C17 are not entirely clear. Carpentry details suggest that the
south end was floored in the C17 when a lateral stack was added : this stack is now
axial to the new main range. The most obvious interpretation of the medieval plan is
hall to the south, storeyed inner end to the north with the lower end and passage
dismantled from the south end; however, there is evidence of a former hipped end to
the southern of the 2 medieval rooms suggesting that the present front wall of the
main range marks the end wall of the medieval house. The dating of the east and west
ends of the present main range is more problematical (east end not inspected) but the
east end is said to have a boxed-in cross beam and may be C18 or C19.
2 storeys. Asymmetrical 4 window front with regular fenestration ; gabled porch to
left of centre into passage or stair hall. 2 and 3-light C20 timber casement
windows, 2 panes per light.
Interior : The centre room of the main range, (south end room of the medieval range)
has a deeply chamfered step-stopped axial beam mortised into a chamfered cross beam
with reeded stops, similar chamfered half-beam against south end (formerly external)
wall. The cross beam chamfers are stopped off on either side of the junction with
the axial beam suggesting that it may replace an earlier beam of larger scantling.
C20 grate, probably concealing an earlier fireplace. The rear wing (now in use for
storage) has deeply chamfered step-stopped cross beams.
Roof : of the medieval roof 2 smoke-blackened jointed cruck trusses survive and a
closed truss (sooted on the south side). The collars are mortised into the
principals and a diagonally-set ridge survives in part.
According to Margaret C.S. Cruwys Northcote is first documented in the C14, in 1332
when Rogo de Notheracote appears as one of the principal inhabitants of the parish.
Cruwys, Margaret C.S., A Cruwys Morchard Notebook, 1066-1874 (1939).

Listing NGR: SS8680213378

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26546045

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

• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 3: North West: North West v. 3 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5