Town Farmhouse including wall enclosing yard (EHER 25602)

Late 14th, 15th century and later timber-framed hall house, with yard enclosed by a 19h century brick wall.

NRHE data transfer: Town Farm (NAT). <1> Town Farm is a 15th century hall house altered in the 16th and 17th centuries. <2> <3> Town Farmhouse including wall enclosing yard. House, former farmhouse. Late 14th, 15th century, and later. RCHM 15. Grade II*. <4> Not listed in English Heritage schedule 1987. <5> House, formerly the Town Farm, on the west side of Cage End, 200 yards SSW of the parish church, is of two storeys; the walls are of plastered timber-framing, and the roofs are tiled. It was built probably in the 15th century on a half H-shaped plan with the wings extending towards the west; early in the 16th century a fireplace was inserted in the central hall, and a small staircase-wing added at the back; probably at the same time the north-west wing was extended towards the west, and the upper floor in the central hall may date from this period or may not have been inserted until 1630, the date carved below one of the ceiling-beams; at the back of the hall and on the north side of the north-west wing are 18th century and modern additions. On the east front are three gables under which the upper storey projects; the middle gable was added when the upper floor was inserted in the Hall. On the south elevation is a 17th century chimney-stack, largely rebuilt, and east of it the plaster retains some old rosette-pattern. On the west elevation are three main gables and a small gable on the staircase-wing. Inside the building are massive ceiling-beams. On the ground floor, in the central room, is a wide fireplace, probably of early 16th century date, with richly moulded oak bressummer in the form of a flat four-centred arch; in the fireplace is an old wrought-iron jack. In the south room above the fireplace is a plaster panel stamped with rosettes and other patterns, probably of early 17th century date. The north room is lined with panelling partly of early 17th century date, re-set. The front door is of the 17th century and retains its original oak lock. Condition - good. <6> June 1975. Field visit. Town Farm (name confirmed) as described above, but modernised and not outstanding. <7> See also: <8>