Description

NORTH BOVEY LETTAFORD SX 78 SW 4/213 Southmeads - GV II

Longhouse, now divided into 2 houses. Circa early-mid C16 with later C16 and C17 modifications, probably C18-C19 rear outshuts, modernised and extended in C20. Rendered granite rubble walls, exposed at lower gable end and rear. Left-hand axial stack (originally gable) constructed of granite blocks with granite cap and dripmoulds. Central axial stack is rendered, appears to be stone base with brick shaft. Corrugated iron roof with corrugated asbestos to extension, gable ends. Longhouse plan of shippon, through passage, hall and inner room. Hall originally open to the roof, the one possible internal jetty joist surviving at its passage end shows that at some stage, but not necessarily the original one, there may have been a chamber over the passage whilst the hall was still open. The evidence for an internal jetty at the higher end of the hall is not conclusive but there is a strong possibility Hall ceiled probably in early C17, fireplace inserted backing on to the passage with a newel staircase in a projection to the rear of the hall. Outshuts added at rear of lower end and hall C18-C19. C20 extension at higher end, shippon probably also converted to store room in C20. Now 2 houses divided at upper end of hall. 2 storeys. 1-window bay to left which is C20 extension. Late C19 and C20 casements, on first floor is 2-light casement to right and 6-light to left, both with glazing bars. Ground floor has late C20 aluminium framed casements to left and centre with large C20 plate glass 2 light casement to right. Doorway to front of passage is right of centre with C20 plank door. To its right is single light window on ground floor with loading door to first floor right. 2 slit openings on ground floor towards right end with 2-light early C20 casement in between. Formerly there appears to have been a porch to front of the passage as there are 2 roughly chamfered granite pillars in front. At lower gable end is central single light window on ground floor with ventilation slit to its left. The right-hand corner of the gable end is rounded and stone steps lead up beside it to rear door. At the rear of the house are outshuts built on to the lower end to the right of which the curved edge of the stair projection is just visible. Interior: is relatively unspoilt up to and including hall, above which the second house begins at the inner room which has been completely modernised. Late C16/early C17 wooden doorway into hall from passage is chamfered with Tudor arch. Beside it is the curved end of one possible internal jetty joist which is cut off at the passage side. The hall has 3 cross beams chamfered with hollow stops. The fireplace is blocked. Doorway has probably C17 plank door with old strap hinges (doorway now blocked). To the right of it is an unusual intricately carved timber, possibly the remains of a jetty joist. Wooden newel staircase at rear of hall in projection. Base of trusses visible in first floor rooms, jointed crucks, side pegged. No access to roof space. Although not a completely unaltered longhouse this building has suffered little enough alteration to make it instantly recognisable as such and more early features are likely to be concealed by C19 and C20 modernisations.

Listing NGR: SX7016484042

External Links

• Wikidata Q26618896

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Recommended Books

• 
  Derbyshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Cornwall (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Yorkshire: York and the East Riding (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)