History

A house with a complex history which was built as the country lodgings of the abbots of Basingwerk. The house was altered after the reformation when it was converted to a farmhouse, and there were probably subsequent alterations. In 1796 the current rear side, which has a gabled bay to the L, is shown with a central doorway flanked by windows with pointed arched heads and Y-tracery. In the early C18, the house was occupied by Myles Davies (1662-c1715) writer and religious propagandist. The hall was used as a foundry in the earlier C20.

Exterior

An exceptionally long 2-storey range of rubble stone under a renewed slate roof with brick stacks to ends and centre. Large outshut to L of W side which includes the current entrance; full-height advanced gabled bay to L of E side, and staircase projection to S end. Two- or 3-light stone mullioned windows, some replaced by late C20 wooden casements. The outshut has a central late C20 half-glazed door under a segmental head of stone voussoirs. Three-light casement to L and small 4-pane stairlight with stained glass to R. Two skylights to roof pitch. The arrangement of openings to the R of the outshut is irregular. Two 2-light casements with timber lintels towards the L side of the ground floor at different heights. Tiny stairlight to far R in chamfered stone surround. Early windows retained to 1st floor; two 2-light stone mullioned windows to L and centre, of different sizes, and single light with stone surround immediately to R.

To the N end, the chimney rises from a wide stone projecting stack which has stone copings with kneelers. Two-light stone mullioned window to side of lean-to, and disturbed stonework to R including possible butt joint. The long rear elevation has a late C20 half-glazed door to the R with a 3-light wooden casement on its R side. Three-light stone mullioned window above. To the L the elevation is 3-window, the 1st floor windows almost aligned with those below and all 2-light. Wooden casements to 1st floor. The ground floor windows are beneath pointed stone arches, that to the centre probably blocking a doorway and containing a 2-light casement. The outer windows have stone surrounds and narrow stone mullions. The gabled bay to the L has a 3-light window to each storey, both in stone surrounds with stone hoodmoulds. The ground floor window retains its mullions. The N side of the gabled bay has a planked door with 2-light casement above. The S side has a partially blocked chamfered stone window with hoodmould. The S end of the house has a staircase projection offset to the L containing a narrow stone window with transom. To the R is a recess beneath the stack under a segmental brick head.

Interior

The current front entrance is through a lean-to washroom (originally a back-kitchen). To the S end is a staircase, replaced in the C20. Behind is a corridor with kitchen and former hall to the R and parlour to the L. The hall has a large fireplace with moulded monolithic stone lintel and stone jambs of c1600. To the L is a small square recess with moulded stone surround, and to the R a planked door leading to stone fireplace stairs. The ceiling has 2 spine beams with cut stops and plain joists. Flagstone floor, the flags moved from the kitchen. There was formerly an external doorway into the hall, which is now a window. The kitchen to the N, has a chamfered cross beam with cut stops. In the W wall is a doorway with stone Tudor-arched head, now infilled, and a further blocked doorway to its L. The parlour, at the N end of the house was once divided. It has a large fireplace with splayed jambs and a segmental timber lintel, flanked by recesses with timber lintels. Small room to S of parlour, behind corridor.

Reasons for Listing

Listed as a complex house with medieval origins which retains much traditional character, and for its historical association with Basingwerk Abbey.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q29480949

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

• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East: Norwich and North-east v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Yorkshire: York and the East Riding (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5
• 
  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)