Description

TL 4679 WITCHAM SILVER STREET (North side)

18/56 No 2 (Yew Tree House) (formerly listed as 5.2.52 Yew Tree Farmhouse)

GV II

House. Late C16-early C17. Narrow red brick, English bond with steeply pitched roof, now covered in concrete interlocking tiles. End parapets on kneelers with part of brickwork to a corbel or gable end finial at the east end. Side stack with adjacent staircase projects slightly from the north wall. end stacks. Single range plan of three rooms. Two storeys and attic. Front wall has three first floor three light iron frame casements probably late C17 or C18 enlargements. One original small window in hollow moulded stone surround. The three ground floor windows are all mid-late C20 three-light casement enlargements. The doorway however retains part of the limestone quoins of the original opening. The east gable end has in the gable iron ties in the form of the initials RM. Below an attic window has cyma moulded limestone achitrave to casement. At first floor the stone mullions of the five light window have been restored but the chamfered architrave is original: The rear wall has two small window openings, now blocked, to the original staircase. At the west end there is a straight joint in the brickwork suggesting a rebuild. At this end there is a C19 bead and quirk moulded door to first floor loft, probably an insertion. This gable end has tumbled brickwork unlike that of the east gable and indicating a later build. The end stack is flush with the gable end. There is no evidence however of a similar break in the brickwork in the front wall. Interior: Deep stop chamfered main beams to east ground floor room. Rebuilt inglenook hearth to centre room with adjacent original stone staircase leading to first floor chamber. Some disturbance at first floor level in the opening suggests that the staircase originally extended for a further flight to the attic. The first floor chamber at the east end has parts of wall painting which originally extended throughout the whole room. they depict a horse, deer and dog and probably form part of a hunting scene. The remaining colours are black with ochre on plaster. There is an aumbry with tiled floor in one corner. This room has a deep chamfer to the wall plate forming a cornice. The partition walls are timber framed and in general remain intact. At ground floor the wall between the room at the east and the centre room is most complete and has substantial framing. There is an original doorway, now blocked, in this wall. The partition wall on ground floor from the room at the west end to the hall was also framed but it has been substantially obscured or removed. However, a doorway with original frame and ogee arch is in situ and led from the cross-passage to the room at the west end. This room has an inglenook hearth. The possible disturbance or rebuild of the brickwork in the gable end may suggest that this hearth is of a later date. The ceiling has a later main beam.

VCH: Cambs Vol IV

Listing NGR: TL4629579990

External Links

• Wikidata Q26456689

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

• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)