Description

SS 72 SE BISHOP'S NYMPTON

6/24 Parsonage Farmhouse

II

Farmhouse, possibly originally a manor house. Late medieval origins with late C17,
early C18 and circa mid C19 alterations. Colourwashed rendered stone rubble; 2-span
asbestos slate roof to the main (south) block, hipped at the west ends, similar roof
to the east wing, gabled at the north end; projecting stone rubble end stacks to the
main block, internal end stack to the east wing.
Plan: Double-depth south-facing main block with an east wing, at right angles to the
main block and abutting it. West wing, also at right angles to the main block but
projecting to the front with no internal access to the main block. Complex
evolution, evident in the roof structure. The east wing is the earliest dateable
part of the house, originating as a medieval 2 cell open hall range of high status
with a 2-bay hall to the south and one bay of the lower end to the north divided from
the hall by a closed truss heavily sooted on the north side. It seems likely that
there were 2 open hearths. In 1850 (White's Devon) a barn on the site, probably the
west wing, was described as having a "carved ceiling" and was thought to have been a
chapel. The wing preserves a probably early C16 doorframe on the inner (east)
return. The present owner has heard that the carved ceiling was moved, although
there may be some remaining evidence not seen at time of survey (1987). Although the
main (south) block appears externally to be C19 the front span has a mid/late C17
roof structure and the rear span a probably C18 roof structure. Although the details
of the evolution of the house are not entirely clear, by the mid/late C17 it
consisted of at least 3 separately-roofed blocks. It is reputed to have been the
site of the Bishop's manor house at Bishop's Nympton.
Exterior: 2 storeys. 3-bay symmetrical south elevation to the main block with
central C20 porch flanked by mid/late C19 tripartite sashes with glazing bars. Mid
C19 20-pane sashes to the first floor left and right with a central 16-pane mid C19
round-headed sash. The right return (east elevation) belongs to the medieval range:
the walls are very irregular at the right end with scattered fenestration of various
designs, 2 first floor and 2 ground floor windows. The inner (east) return of the
west wing has a shouldered, early C16 doorframe to the left, the doorway is blocked.
the south end of the wing has a garage door and C20 window above. The west elevation
of the east wing has a slate pentice roof.
Interior: The right hand room in the main block has chamfered crossbeams and there is
a large, partly-blocked, open fireplace at the north end of the east wing. Other
features may exist beneath the plaster. The first floor has a set of C18 2-panel
doors.
Roof: The east wing retains a probably C15 sooted roof structure dating from an open
hall phase. At the south end of the wing a 2-bay roof with one main arched brace
truss has chamfered purlins, 2 tiers of wind braces and no ridge. The rafters no
longer exist and the post medieval hip at the south end has truncated the roof
structure which might have continued further to the south. A closed truss to the
north of this roof is heavily sooted on the north side with the remains of 2 further
bays, the main truss collar rafter with wind braces but no arched braces. The feet
of the medieval trusses are not visible but are, presumably, crucks of some kind.
The front roof of the main block has a C17 collar rafter roof structure with the
collars lap dovetailed into the principals. The rear roof is probably C18 with X
apexes. The roof of the west wing was not inspected at time of survey but it is
possible that medieval timbers survive.
A house with high quality medieval origins and a long building history.

Listing NGR: SS7623624049

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26456167

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

• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  England's Post-War Listed Buildings
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
• 
  The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
• 
  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)