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

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26618896

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

• 
  Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide