Description

ST11SE CHURCHSTANTON CP

7/18 Oatens Farmhouse

II

Longhouse. Possibly late medieval, ceiled C16, subsequently altered, restored C20. Roughcast over rubble, half hipped
thatched roof, stone stacks left gable end and to left of through passage. Longhouse, 2 rooms left of through passage
originally open hall, 2 storeys inserted right with end bay open to roof. One and a half storeys, 2:1 bays, all C20
wooden casements, left 2-light set below eaves, roof continued as catslide over projection beside entrance, dormer to
right rising from eaves, ground floor 2 windows left, one right of square headed plank door. Interior: recess with
canted walls into through passage stack, peaked doorframe adjoining, chamfered lintel to fireplace, bread oven or
curing chamber blocked on facade wall, gable end room with lateral chamfered beam, step and runout stops, modern grate
with evidence that there was gable entry at one time. This opening now filled with a window with an early C17 table
with turned legs forming the lintel. The legs rest on the window cill,and the area beneath is hollow. Why a table
should be occupying this position is unclear. It does not appear to be of sufficient quality to have been an altar
table. Possibly the result of a centuries old joke, the point of which is now lost, or an early example of surrealism
in Sumerset? (Though the parish was in Devon until 1896). To the left of the through passage a smoke blackened jointed
cruck is set in from the half-hipped gable end on the front wall, the rear section has been cut. There is considerable
smoke blackening on the roof timbers at this end, the result of some agricultural activity. Upper storey of dwelling
not sighted; a very interesting farmhouse. (VAG Report unpublished SRO, August 1984).

Listing NGR: ST1890212297

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26472198

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

• 
  Hampshire: Winchester and the North (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  For the Record
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)