Farmhouses and cottages before 1700

Townsend Farm, Stockland, Devon

Client: PrivateTownsend Farm, Stockland, Devon
Site: Medieval farmhouse with a long and complex structural history. Privately funded dendrochronological analysis established that the oldest timbers in the house dated from the mid 13th century, so far the oldest dated timbers from Devon. It was enlarged in c.1497 and also includes high quality work from 16th and 17th century improvements.
Summary of Project: Measured survey drawings to architectural and archaeological standard, and analysis, all designed to record the historic structure.
Objective: To record the important and interesting dated medieval phases of the house and understand its subsequent development.

Broomham Farm, Kings Nympton, Devon

Client: English HeritageBroomham Farm, Kings Nympton, Devon
Site: Well-preserved large farmhouse with late medieval origins, 1463 according to dendrochronological analysis. It has an interesting longhouse derivative layout with high quality 16th and 17th century extensions and improvements. The 1634 kitchen wing includes a large purpose-built kitchen fireplace with one of the largest and best-preserved malting chambers known from Devon.
Summary of Project: Measured survey drawings to architectural and archaeological standard, and analysis, all designed to record the surviving structure during building works.
Objective: To inform a scheme of repair and modernisation.

West Park Cottage, Swannaford, Bridford, Devon

Client: Dartmoor National Park AuthorityWest Park Cottage, Swannaford, Bridford, Devon
Site: One of a pair of small and well-preserved mid 17th century cottages possibly built for artisans working in nearby mining operations. Both comprised a heated living room with a small service room on the ground floor with two chambers above.
Summary of Project: The repair of West Park Cottage provided the opportunity to record the original features of a small artisan’s cottage. This involved measured survey drawings of its original carpentry, and analysis, all designed to record the surviving structure during building works.
Objective: To inform a scheme of repair and extend the archaeological record of historic building types on Dartmoor.

Dunstone Manor, Widecombe, Devon

Client: Private Dunstone Manor, Widecombe, Devon
Site: A Grade II listed Dartmoor longhouse in a typical and rather attractive hamlet of historic steadings. The house might have achieved more significance but for its 1970s modernisation. The interior reveals an interesting historic house with a long and complex structural history,
Summary of Project: Appraisal from an historic and archaeological point of view with phased ground floor plan.
Objective: To inform a scheme of repair and modernisation, including reversing some of the 1970s work.