Description

SS 80 NW SANDFORD

1/175 Dira Farmhouse
26.8.65 (formerly listed as Dira)

GV II

Large farmhouse. Early C17 with some late C17-early C18 improvements. Volcanic
rubble with early C20 cement-render to front; rubble stacks, most topped with C19
brick; slate roof. E plan house facing south. Central through passage with 2-
storey front porch; hall to left (west) with projecting rear lateral stack,
parlour crosswing projecting forward with outer lateral stack and stairs and
kitchen with gable-end stack in a rear block behind hall and parlour; service room
to right (east) of passage with late C17 stack inserted in front corner by the
passage, service cross wing projecting forward with stack in outer side wall and
main block carried eastwards one room. All blocks are gable-ended. 2 storeys with
now-disused attics. Symmetrical 9-window front to main block. 2:2:1:2:2 windows,
left and right projecting gabled crosswings and central projecting gabled 2 storey
porch. Wings of early C20 casements (to ground floor and attics) and sashes, all
with small panes to upper lights and sashes with large panes below. 2 windows
either side of porch and to each crosswing and single small attic casements under
gables. C20 arch to porch and front door but early C17 oak doorframe with ovolo-
moulded surround and unusual pyramid stops. Outer (east) side of service block and
main block projection to right retain small 2-light early C17 oak window frames
with ovolo-moulded mullions and hoodmoulds at first floor level. Rear elevation
has 2 early C17 window apertures with hoodmoulds, both towards left end, the upper
containing late C17-early Cl8 iron casement with leaded glass, the lower is a tiny
light with an original chamfered oak surround. Late 017-early C18 rear passage
doorway has solid bead-moulded frame. Early C17 attic window to rear stair and
kitchen block has 3-light oak window with ovolo-moulded mullions. Hall stack has
volcanic ashlar chimney shaft with moulded cap and large C19 brick-built conical
chimney pot.
Some good C17 detail inside but many features may be blocked or hidden by 019 or
C20 plaster. 3-bay hall has flagged floor and late C17-early C18 moulded plaster
cornice. Parlour and chamber above have incomplete early C17 ornamental
plasterwork friezes; parlour frieze has shields with Pegasus supporters, and
chamber above frieze with angels and Tudor roses on soffit of crossbeams. Rear
block includes early C17 oak dog-leg stair with closed string, square newel posts
with ball caps, high moulded handrail and large turned balusters. Service room to
right of passage was upgraded in late C17 with provision of rear corridor,
insertion of fireplace and new ceiling with moulded cornice and large bolection-rib
oval in formerly central panel. Service crosswing has chamfered and step-stopped
crossbeams. Early C17 roof of A-frame trusses with dovetail lap-jointed collars.

Listing NGR: SS8486805545

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26563160

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

• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5
• 
  The Shredded Chef: 120 Recipes for Building Muscle, Getting Lean, and Staying Healthy