Post-medieval farm, Tiptofts Farm, Sewards End (EHER 81348)

Farm at Tiptofts Manor. The present farm was built before 1867, on the same alignment, and possibly re-using some of the buildings, of the earlier farm which was associated with the medieval manor. It comprises three long ranges around a quadrangular south facing courtyard.

NRHE data transfer: 19th century farm on site of earlier farm at Tiptofts Manor. An estate map of 1746 shows a farm at this location, associated with the medieval manor of Tiptofts. The farm comprised a 'Farmyard' with three buildings ranged around it on much the same alignment as the present farm, and a 'Cow Yard' with two buildings in the north-western corner. A terrier dated 1611 mentions the following buildings: two barns, hayhouse, cowhouse, stable, cartshed, and possibly a dovehouse. These buildings could not all have been located within the moat, and it is likely that a farm was situated here, probably as far back as the medieval period. The present farm was built before 1867, on the same alignment as (and possibly re-using some of the buildings of) the earlier farm. It comprises three long ranges around a quadrangular south-facing courtyard. The buildings are constructed of brick and weatherboard under tiled roofs; some are in a fairly poor state of repair. <1> - <3> Aerial photographs show several buildings north of the farm between 1946 and 1951, and although no traces of these remain on the ground, the ground here is very uneven and exhibits signs of disturbance. <4> See also: <5> - <7>