History

Built probably in the mid to later C16 as a 2-storeyed farmhouse, raised to 3 storeys and otherwise enlarged probably in the late C18 or early C19. According to Bradney it was the residence of the lesser-gentry Tyler family until the late C18, then let to a farmer and subsequently sold to the duke of Beaufort.

Exterior

White-painted roughcast render on sandstone rubble, with a blue slate roof and red brick gable chimneys. Belying the early structure within, the tall and sheer (not to say severe) 3-storey, 3-window N facade appears typical of the late C18/early C19, all the openings being of that character except the doorway. Offset slightly right of centre, and protected by a square porch with a pyramidal roof, the doorway has a chamfered Tudor-arched surround and a heavy vertically-panelled door. To the left at ground floor is a square window with coupled 12-pane sashes; to the right, a square 3-light small-paned casement window. The 1st floor has 3 small segmental-headed casements, and the top floor has 3 smaller 2-light casements immediately beneath the eaves, with 4 panes to each light. Attached to the right-hand (W) gable wall is a lean-to kitchen, recently raised to 2 storeys, which has modern openings including a doorway which is now the usual entrance. (A large 2-storey wing to the rear of that, formerly an agricultural building but now enlarged as an extension to the house, links to a former barn which is now a separate property.) The rear elevation has 2 windows on each floor, similar in shape to those at the front but irregularly disposed and mostly with altered glazing.

Interior

The main doorway opens into a space which is now a short axial passage, but vacant mortices in a lateral ceiling beam slightly W of the doorway suggest that there was formerly either a broad cross-passage or a central service room (such as a dairy) between the main rooms to E and W, both of which have unusually high ceilings. The principal room to the E has ceiling beams and joists of exceptionally high quality, and a very large stone fireplace at the E gable wall. The beams, which are lateral, at 150cm centres (one against the chimney breast), are 30cm wide and elaborately decorated, with roll-mouldings separated by hollow moulding brought to run-out stops; and the joists, which are at 30cm centres and 10cm wide and, are similarly decorated. The fireplace opening, which is 186cm wide and 135cm high, under a massive monolithic lintel about 95cm deep, has a chamfered surround. In the SE corner to its right is a spiral staircase. In the main room to the W (now integrated with the former central volume) is a fireplace 150cm wide and 123cm high, with a chamfered lintel. To the right (N) of the chimney breast a short passage leads to the lean-to kitchen, and in the NW corner is a ¼-turned staircase which appears to have been inserted.
The upper floors have modern inserted partitioning forming guest rooms (etc.).

Reasons for Listing

Included as a multi-phase house with early interior fabric of high quality.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q29502698

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

• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  [(Cumberland and Westmorland)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1967)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  The Shredded Chef: 120 Recipes for Building Muscle, Getting Lean, and Staying Healthy
• 
  For the Record