D'Arcy Gate Farmhouse (EHER 39178)

A 16/17th century farmhouse much altered in the 18th century.

May 1978. Grade II listed. A 16th and 17th century timber framed and roughcast rendered house with 18th/19th century additions. The roof is covered with handmade red clay tiles. The 16th century build is two storeys and an attic, and the 17th century build is two storeys. The building comprises a late 16th century two-bay crosswing (aligned NE-SW) of a 16th century house which formerly extended to the south-east. There is an early 17th century two-bay extension to the north-east and a weatherboarded lean-to extension beyond. An 18th/early 19th century bakehouse extends south-east from the lean-to, and there is a further ancillary building beyond, now linked to and incorporated in the main house. The former bakehouse has an exposed timber frame with 20th century brick nogging, and is roofed with slate. The further ancillary building has similar walling and is roofed with red clay pantiles. In the north-east wall of the crosswing, on the upper floor, is an incomplete oriel window, now blocked by the inserted chimney stack and 17th century extension. One window at the side of it is complete with moulded mullion, originally unglazed, with glazing nails showing that leaded glass was attached before the early 17th century extension was added. In the attic gable above it, is a painted design on the plaster with the date 1573, the initials I.W.A.P., and other numerals in a decorative border, probably the date of construction of this wing. It appears that originally the house faced north-east, away from the Kelvedon Road, and that in the early 17th century the main range was demolished and a new range built to the north-east, re-aligning the house. D'Arcy Gate is shown as Greens Farm in Chapman and Andre's map of 1777 and wrongly named Sparrowhawks Farm on the OS map. <1> See photos <2>. NRHE data transfer: Sparrowhawks Farm [T.I.] <3> D'Arcy Gate (Sparrowhawks) Farmhouse. 8/178. Grade III. Probably 17th or late 16th century in origin (a 16th/17th century fragment of a wall painting discovered in attics.) Much altered in the 18th century. Timber framed and plastered, the roofs tiled. <4> April 1960. Field survey. 'Sparrowhawks Farm' (name confirmed) is as above described. It is in good condition. See photograph AO/60/150/2 from the south. A large timber-frame barn, weather-boarded, with red-tiled roof stands to the south-east of the cottage. It has two porches on the north-west side. In fair condition. Probably 16th century. <5> Note: It is unclear if the timber framed barn described is still extant.