History

C16-17 single-unit hall house, first recorded in 1670 in a hearth tax return. The fireplace and the original entrance were in the W gable. Two further units were added to the E in the early C18: the E gable of the hall house was demolished and replaced by a wall with fireplace opposite a new entrance, resulting in a lobby-entry plan-form. Occupied by Thomas Price, JP and ironmaster, in the mid C18; he was interested in non-conformity and in the 1730s leased a plot to the Independents for the construction of Watford Chapel. A higher range was added to the W in the C19, along with a long service wing to the E, resulting in an L-shaped plan. A photograph of the house c1900 shows the front with sash windows and an entrance into the higher range, which contained full-height panelling said to be by Adam and to have come from Cefn Mably. The C19 wing is said to have included a stable block. A stone pavior in the garden bears an inscription to Mary Morgan, who may have married Thomas Price.

Exterior

Three-unit, lobby-entry C16-18 range of one storey and an attic, with steeply pitched stone-tiled roof. To the L is a higher 2-window, 2 storey range of the C19 with a tiled roof. A long wing was added to the R, also in the C19, resulting in an L-shaped plan. Rough-cast and whitened with light timber banding and renewed stone plinth. The rear of the C19 wing is rubble stone, perhaps reflecting its service status. C20 red brick stacks. The windows are generally C19 2- or 3-light casements with quarries under flat heads. Some have corbelled sills and swept hoodmoulds.

The C16-18 range has a gabled porch L of centre with quoins and a stone-tiled roof, containing a panelled door. Two 12-pane horned sashes R of door and 2-light window L of door. The attic storey has 2 raking half dormers, one with a canted bay window, and a 3rd window to the L beneath the eaves. The higher C19 range has 2 end stacks, a 3-light window to centre with decorated lead glazing, and a 2-light window to upper R. The W gable end has a light to the R, and a blocked window above.

The rear of the original range has a hipped roof to the L end. A cupola for a bell surmounted by a weather vane rises from the eaves at the external angle of the range and the C19 wing, probably relating to stables. Gabled porch L of centre, leading to half-glazed double doors. Four-light window L of door, beyond which is a 2-light window, and 3-light window R of door. The attic storey has a raked half dormer with a 12-pane horned sash to the far R, and a single stair-light. To the L are further 2-light windows. The rear of the high C19 range has 2 horned 12-pane sashes to the upper storey and half-lit French Doors below flanked by single lights.

The long E wing is 2 storey with windows of various sizes irregularly placed, mainly C20. The front (W) is 4-window to the upper storey and 3-window below. Lean-to porch to rear, and 5 windows to upper storey.

Interior

The C16 hall is to the L (W) of the front entrance. It has deeply chamfered cross beams, some with pyramid stops. The joists also have chamfers and pyramid stops. The room is half-panelled. Arched stone fireplace to W, rebuilt C19-20. It contains a cast iron fireback with inscription 'Thomas and Mary Price 1750'. The stairs are in the NE angle, and have turned balusters and square newels. Deeply splayed, wood-panelled window reveals. A door (the original entrance) leads W into the C19 room, which is fully panelled in dark wood, renewed in the late C20. To the R of the front entrance is a passage, off which are 2 rooms of the C18. They have spine beams with thin chamfers. The central room has a contemporary stone fireplace, and the E room is a kitchen. A doorway has been added to the N.

Reasons for Listing

Listed for its architectural interest showing the development of the hall house from the C16 through to the C19, and for its considerable historic interest in the establishment of Methodism in the region.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q29498712

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 Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)