Description

MORETONHAMPSTEAD
SX 78 NW
1/72 Bowden Farmhouse
-
23.8.55
GV II

Farmhouse. Probably C16 origins but no pre-1600 features now visible. Rendered
granite rubble walls. Roof at lower end is slated, otherwise thatched and half-
hipped. 2 granite rubble stacks, one axial, the other a tall lateral stack with
dripmould and granite capping.
Complex plan, the original layout of which is obscure. There are 3 main rooms in a
row, the left-hand room heated by front lateral stack, lower room heated by axial
stack, central apparently unheated. No sign of passage. Possibly C18 central wing
at front with adjoining outshut to its left and right.
Asymmetrical entrance front with 2 storey wing a centre and thatched outshut to
left of it which projects beyond the gable end. C20 leanto porch immediately to
left of wing with part glazed door to outshut behind it. Corrugated iron roofed
outshut to right of wing. Only 2 first floor rear windows, both 2-light early C20
casements, the right-hand one has glazing bars. Below it is a 4-light ovolo
moulded wooden mullion window with glazing probably replaced in C19. To its right
is large C20 2-light casement of single panes. On the higher gable end at first
floor level is 2-light C19 casement in wooden mullion frame.
Interior is considerable altered probably in early C20 though it is likely that
early features have been concealed. Left-hand room has chamfered longitudinal beam
with hollow step stop. Central room also has chamfered axial beam but the stops
are indiscernable. Lower room has fireplace with chamfered wooden lintel and
notched stops. On the first floor the feet of some substantial straight principals
are visible with heavy purlins but access to the roof-space is not possible.
This is a particularly puzzling house, the clues to its development may well still
be concealed in its structure.

Listing NGR: SX7473488024

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26618855

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

• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides): Written by Charles O'Brien, 2014 Edition, Publisher: Yale University Press [Hardcover]
• 
  Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)