Description

SS 70 SE CREDITON HAMLETS

2/71 Elston Barton including
26.8.65 adjoining cob walls on south
and east (formerly listed as
Lower Elston)

GV II*

Farmhouse. Late C15-early C16 core, major C16 and C17 improvements, C19 extension
and modernisation. Plastered cob on rubble footings; volcanic stone stacks topped
with C19 brick; thatched roof. L-shaped building. Main block now fronts south
and has 3-room-and-through-passage plan with inner room west end (left of front).
Late C16-early C17 parlour block projects forward from inner room and dairy and
chamber extension built onto service room in late C17. Hall stack backs onto
passage, axial stack to service room (former end wall) and lateral stack in outer
wall of parlour wing. Now 2 storeys throughout. Main block has irregular 5-window
front of C19 and C20 casements of various sizes (most with glazing bars) with
exception of horizontal sliding sash at right end. Front passage door left of
centre has plank door in C17 solid oak, bead-moulded door frame with C19 hood on
shaped wooden brackets. Roof is half-hipped to right. Gable end of parlour wing
includes C19 16-pane sashes. Rear (original main) elevation is interrupted by
adjoining farm courtyard walls (q.v.) It includes 3 early C17 oak window frames;
4 lights to service room, 2 to chamber over passage (both with ovolo-moulded
mullions) and a 4-light frame to the inner room with unusual wave-moulded mullions.
Also a first floor late C17 3-light flat-faced mullion window over door has iron
casement and leaded panes. Rear door and hood similar to front, but the 2 are not
positioned directly opposite.
Good interior. Earliest feature is a late C15-early C16, smoke-blackened,
(possibly jointed) cruck roof truss with cambered collar and seating for square-set
ridge. it is positioned over upper side of passage. Either side are clean late
C16-early C17 side-pegged jointed crucks probably erected at same time as hall
stack inserted. This includes unusually high volcanic stone fireplace with oak
lintel and chamfered surround. A section of contemporary oak plank-an-muntin
screen survives flush with front of fireplace. Hall floored in early-mid C17 using
2, richly-moulded crossbeams with leaf-decorated step stops. Massive early C17
volcanic stone kitchen fireplace in service room with replacement lintel. Early
C17 parlour wing but most early features removed or hidden in C19 though ground
floor volcanic stone fireplace exposed with C20 replacement lintel and, in
roofspace are remains of side-pegged jointed cruck truss with cambered collars and
threaded purlins. Several late C17 features remain from a widespread refurbishment
including a round-headed arch with applied architrave and keystone loading from
hall to stairwell in inner room, now containing C20 stairs, and, on first floor
landing, a 2-panel door with strap hinges and fleur-de-lys terminals. Roof over
inner room and dairy extension built at same time, but latter has mid-late C19
roof. High plastered cob walls on rubble footings extend southwards from parlour
wing to shelter front garden and eastwards from dairy to enclose kitchen garden.
Good multi-phase Devon house, probably of gentry status. The deeds survive from
1664 when house belonged to Philip Elston of Crediton. Face to yard makes a well-
preserved and evocative group with farm buildings (q.v.).

Listing NGR: SS7850602611

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17547954

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  [(Bedfordshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1968)
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)