Description

CHAWLEIGH CHAWLEIGH
SS 71 SW
2/4 5 Leaches Farmhouse
GV II

Farmhouse. C17, possibly earlier core, with late C17-early C18 and C19
refurbishments, C18 rear extension. Mostly plastered cob on exposed rubble
footings, some plastered rubble; cob or stone rubble stacks topped with C19 and
C20 brick; thatch roof.
Long main block facing north-west with 4-room plan. Kitchen at right (south-
western) and is an obvious addition, probably late C17-early C18. Rest is probably
derived from a 3-room-and-through-passage plan house with former inner room at left
(north-eastern) end, but position of through passage not obvious. Putative inner
and service end rooms with end stacks, the latter now axial with kitchen stack
built against its back. Hall has axial stack to left backing onto inner room.
Probably C18 service wing at right angles to rear of service end room with later
outshots either side. 2 storeys.
Front fenestration disposed to left 3 rooms only. The right end (kitchen) is
blind. A shallow projecting pilaster of plaster incised as ashlar marks break
between kitchen and main house which has regular but not symmetrical 4-window
front. All are C19 12-pane sashes with plain flat stucco architraves except
similar 8-pane sash ground floor left, to left of late C19 4-panel door with
contemporary porch; rubble walls, slate gabled roof, original bargeboards and
segmental outer arch surmounted by Bathstone plaque bearing the crest of the Earl
of Portsmouth. To rear of hall at first floor level is a late C17-early C18 2-
light flat-faced mullion window complete with contemporary internal shutters hung
on H-hinges. Rear block is lower. End has C20 door, first floor casement under
hipped end to roof and sides have half dormers and a row of pigeon holes on north-
east side.
Unmodernised interior shows work of many periods. The oldest feature exposed is
rear of an oak plank-and-muntin screen at lower end of hall, probably early C17.
Hall has a C17 roughly-chamfered crossbeam supported to rear on an oak post with
chamfered and scroll-stopped corners. Rubble fireplace at upper end of hall has
plain oak lintel, also probably C17. To right rear is a late C17-early C18 full
height cupboard with panelled doors on early H-hinges. C19 plaster covers any
early features in putative inner room. Chamber over inner room includes some C17
oak small-field panelling and more is hidden there. Service room/entrance lobby
refurbished in late C18 with moulded dado and timber chimneypiece (another in
chamber above). Kitchen is open to roof of A-frame trusses with pegged lap-jointed
collars, probably late C17 or C18, and contemporary kitchen fireplace has plain oak
lintel and inserted or relined brick oven. Roof of main block of 2 kinds. Hall
and inner room C17 A-frame trusses with pegged shaped lap-jointed collars and
service end room has plainer C18 A-frame truss with X-apex. Rear block has plain
carpentry detail and roof is inaccessible.

Listing NGR: SS7127412529

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26611348

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

• 
  County Durham (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England) by Elizabeth Williamson Nikolaus Pevsner(1983-03-11)
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)