Description

KINGS NYMPTON
SS 72 SW
2/115 Broomham Farmhouse
20.2.67
- II*
Farmhouse unoccupied at time of survey. Probably early C16, remodelled 1638 by
datestone, with some C19 alterations but subsequently very little changed.
Unrendered stone rubble, right end partly rendered stone rubble and cob. Thatch
roof, half-hipped, with chamfered timber wall plate. Corrugated asbestos roof to
rear kitchen wing. Tall front lateral stone rubble hall stack with tapered cap,
stone rubble ridge stacks towards left end and to rear kitchen wing.
Plan: house unoccupied since c.1978 and interior of main range not accessible.
Substantial modified long-house plan, with hall, inner room and additional unheated
room probably originally a dairy beyond to left of through-passage, and integral
lofted outbuilding to right. Kitchen wing to rear of hall and through-passage
creating overall T-shaped plan with single-storey outshot to left. The house was
originally open to the roof, including the lofted outbuilding which has been extended
probably in the late C17 at the right end. The house was ceiled probably in 1638,
when the kitchen wing appears to have been added, and the hall stairs which are
housed in a shallow projection between the hall stack and through-passage doorway.
Additional spiral staircase to rear kitchen wing.
Exterior: 2 storeys. 4-window range C19 fenestration entirely intact, all 3-light
casements 8 panes per light. Small 2-light mullion staircase window, C17 4-light
chamfered mullion window to left end, and 2-light mullion to right side upper storey
of rear wing. Outbuilding at right end has large C19 2-light shuttered opening above
C19 4-light timber window. Old studded plank door at right end. Datestone above
hall window inscribed "Anno Domini 1638 B.T. T.T.'
Interior: not accessible but known to be little altered and probably early fabric
concealed. There is said to be a domed ash house in the projection behind the rear
kitchen wing stack. The C17 panelling has been removed. The lofted outbuilding
has a single raised cruck truss with cranked morticed and tenoned collar and 2 tiers
of threaded purlins and ridge purlin. All the roof members including battens,
rafters and underside of thatch are heavily smoke-blackened (except to the right end
extension) and the entire roof structure is said to be of similar construction.
Broomham is a remarkably unspoilt farmhouse of a longhouse type; it clearly retains
features of considerable interest and deserves a full interior inspection.

Listing NGR: SS7089321262

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17532196

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 Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Huddersfield in 50 Buildings
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)