Stevens Farmhouse (EHER 31025)

Stevens Farm is a model farmstead built in 1852, with a farmhouse of the early 19th century. It was built by Beadle, Son and Chancellor for James Crush. The planned farm comprises three covered yards with a barn range to the north. To the east is a two-storey range of a granary and hayloft above stables and to the west is a two-storey range incorporating a root house, cow house and fodder store. Projecting south from the western range is a one-storey hackney stable, harness room and coach house, to the west of which is a piggery and horse yard. The farm buildings are constructed of brown brick with red brick dressings and hipped, slate roofs. The early 19th century farmhouse has two storeys and a double-depth plan. It is constructed of colour-washed brick with a hipped, slate roof. The front has a Tuscan-columned Classical porch and sash windows. There is a lower, two-storey service range to the west. The farm buildings were converted into housing in 2001.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. Range of Farm buildings to north of Stevens and Farmhouse. Model farm. 1852, by Beadle, Son and Chancellor for James Crush. Flemish bond brown brick with red brick dressings; hipped slate roofs. Plan of three covered yards, facing south, flanked by barn range to north and by two-storey ranges to east and west which comprise granary/hayloft over stable range to west and root house, cowhouse and tool box to east; one-storey hackney stable, harness room and coach house range projects southwards from west range; one-storey piggery and horse yard range projects westwards from north end of stable range. Covered yard divided into 9 x 3 bays by cast iron columns supporting iron King-post trusses; flanking east and west ranges have flat brick arches over stable doors with louvred overlights and segmental brick arches over centre-hung cast-iron casements with glazing bars; open fronted upper floor with brick piers to roof. Three full-height double-entries from yard to barn, which has 3 sets of sliding doors, plank loft doors and ventilation holes to rear (north) elevation. East and west elevations of flanking ranges have pilasters to bay division, large semi-circular arched entry to west and similar cast-iron windows and loft doors to east. Similar pilasters to north elevation of piggery and horse yard range. One-storey east elevation of hackney stable and coach house range has four semi-circular arched lancet windows, flat brick arch over plank door to stable and plank sliding doors to coach house. Interiors noted as having stone-flag floors and King-post trusses. Included as a very early example of an advanced mid 19th century farm complex using covered yards, increasingly advocated in the later 1850s as a more efficient method of conserving farmyard manure than open yards and endorsed by scientific experiments. (Plans in Essex Record Office EROD/DQ in 29). Listing NGR: TL6676609990. Stevens Farmhouse. Early 19th century. Colourwashed brick; hipped slate roof; brick ridge stacks. Double-depth plan. Two storeys. East elevation of symmetrical -window range: six-panelled (2 glazed) door set in moulded wood architrave with Tuscan columns to Classical porch; cambered brick arches over 16-pane sashes and 12-pane sash above door. North and south elevations each of symmetrical two-window range with cambered brick arches over 16-pane sashes and central panelled doors set in moulded wood architraves with flat hood to south door and bracketed hood to north. Lower two-storey service range to west. Interior not inspected but likely to be of interest. Listing NGR: TL6677309950. <1> Stevens Farm in Chignall is a Grade II listed model farmstead. <2> Stevens Farm has large covered yard. It was converted into housing by Hibbs and Walsh Associates in 2001. <3>