Description

SS 53 NW BRAUNTON

8/12 Ash Barton - 25.2.65

GV II*

Large farmhouse, formerly manor house, principally C17 (datestone 1665) but large courtyard outbuilding incorporates earlier, possibly C15 work. Courtyard plan with main range forming crosswing of intended larger house of L-shaped plan. Adjoining parallel to, but offset to rear of) 2-storey Cl7 main range probably is smaller building also Cl7, with hipped slate roof probably kitchen range with access to cellars under main house. Large probably late C18 or early C19 2-storey right- angled extension projects east forming south block of courtyard. On north side a cob and rubble shelter shed joins the kitchen block to large outbuilding on west side of courtyard which is undergoing extensive alterations (1984) but may have been the original dwelling. South-facing gable end of main range and adjoining porch is of dressed stone, west facade mainly of random rubble, with dressed stone surrounds to the openings. Main range has slate roof with post-medieval hand made clay ridge tiles with dressed stone coped gable ends. 2 large rooms to front with internal partition altered for insertion of central staircase. Continuous passage to rear with original staircase at north end and entrance porch to south. Stack at left gable end in ashlar with moulded cap. Stone gablet at apex of right gable end. Off-set stack in ashlar with crenellated cap backing onto rear passage heats room to south. West facade originally had 2 impressive large window openings symmetrically placed with segmental relieving arches on each floor but are now all differently blocked. Top left with dressed stone infill alongside a window of two pairs of 8 pane horizontal sliding sashes. Top right opening is partially slate-hung in blocking-up above a 4- light casement with 3 panes each and timber lintel. Bottom left retains stone window surround now infilled with rubble and 3-light timber window inserted, 8 panes per sash. Bottom right is blind. The upper floor windows flank an inserted horizontal timber sliding sash window 8 panes each. C17 doorway with chamfered stone jambs and hoodmould and labels below relieving arch. C20 panelled door now partly glazed. 2 relieving arches to cellar. Small slated lean-to roof towards left end. Left gable end has 2-light stone splayed mullion window. Inserted fixed windows with glazing bars to each light and relieving arch and dripstone with labels. Right gable end has large blocked square window with 1665 datestone above, over a 4-light casement on each floor with relieving arches and dripstones. The upper floor has 8 panes each light, the lower is transomed with 9 panes over 12 panes in each light. Ashlar porch with gable-ended slate roof to right with pointed arch rebuilt in brick surmounted by small heraldic shield. Single quatrefoil panel to each side and 3 small stone insets on each internal side with heraldic designs. Half-glazed door with large overlight. Main range has large bolection-moulded plaster panelling to the two main rooms; that on rear wall of north side has been pushed forward and reset on inserted partition wall when room was divided to make rear kitchen. Fine C17 dog-leg staircase complete with treads, moulded string and hand rails. Heavy turned newel posts with large acorn finials and turned balusters to each flight. 2 ancient doorways at foot of stairs, that to principal room has ovolo surround with foliated stops (q.v. Bittadon Barton), and original plank door with thick cover strips. Doorway under stairs has ovolo surround with ogee stops and original plank door of 2 leaves divided horizontally with cover strips and square-headed nails. 2 first floor doorways also with ovolo and stopped surround. The long low extension to right of south gable end of main range has cambered, arched window range of three 2-light casements (6 panes each) over 3 transomed 3- light windows with 9 over 3 panes each light. The right end windows are offset. The kitchen block to rear formerly 3 storeys. North gable end has 4-light blocked mullion window with stone lintel over taller 4-light mullion, also blocked, with relieving arch and hoodmould with returned ends. Brick lined fireplace on west wall with large stone jambs. Massive roughly chamfered beam. Rubble and cob shelter shed adjoins at right angles with 3 round rubble piers supporting lean-to slated roof. The early adjoining building on west side of courtyard has had roof timbers replaced, slate roof added, internal floors removed and north gable end partially weatherboarded during alterations in 1980s. Rubble construction with dressed stone long and short work at the lower corners but better quality coursed and dressed stone construction at upper end, where early features are concentrated suggests substantial rebuilding at lower end. 2½ storeys west side has partially blocked opening over plank door. On both sides towards lower end openings on each floor with truncated openings above at wall height. At south gable end opening on each floor above door. External stone steps at north gable end to first floor entrance, left jamb infilled with rubble. 3-light cavetto mullion window above earlier 2- light cavetto-mullion window with four-centred arches, early ferrimenta and weathered hoodmould. Some brick infills. East side upper end has 2-light attic timber window with grill bars inserted in former larger opening. Below this internal evidence of first floor fireplace with dressed stone jambs.

Listing NGR: SS5112537326

External Links

• Ash Barton Estate at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q16975479

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.

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