Apple Tree Cottage (EHER 37328)

16th century or earlier timber-framed aisled building of unknown function.

Aisled building of the 16th century or earlier, altered in the 17th, 19th, and 20th century. It is timber-framed and plastered, with a thatched roof and 20th century 'Roman' tiles on lean-to and rear extension. This was originally an aisled building of uncertain function, with a main span of 4.5 metres aligned approximately north-south. Major alterations in the 17th century brought it to its present form. The aisles were removed, the arcades infilled, and the walls raised by approximately 1.5 metres, the roof rebuilt, an axial chimney stack built at the south end, and a bay added at each end, producing a two-storey house of four bays. Some framing exposed internally. The 17th century clasped purlin roof incorporates three re-used smoke-blackened medieval rafters. The 17th century axial beam in the two-middle bays is of exceptional interest, Y-shaped, formed from a forked trunk, properly squared and jointed. The beam in the north bay retains bark. In the roof space a floor has been made of wattle and daub in the west half of the south bay, probably for grain storage. The cottage character has been retained by accurate replacement of 19th century horizontal-movement sash windows where necessary. <1> See: <2>