Building record 5459/0/21 - Rookery Farmhouse

Early 19th-century farmhouse. Model farm for Grafton estate. c. 1840. Model farms were architect-designed farmsteads inspired by the ideals of Enlightenment that combined utility with architectural beauty.

{1} Farmhouse. Early C19. Coursed squared limestone, hipped slate roof, brick internal stacks. Double-depth plan. 3-storey, 3-window range. Central part-glazed door with fanlight in open porch on thin cast-iron pillars supporting timber superstructure which has semi-circular arches to front and sides; frieze and moulded cornice. 12-pane sash windows to ground, first and second floors, all with flat arched stone head with keyblocks. Moulded stone eaves. Lead rainwater heads and pipes. Interior. Central staircase from ground floor to attic with stick balusters and mahogany ramped and wreathed handrail; stone-paved floor. Front and back doors either end of staircase hall have shutters which fold back during day either side to create Venetian window style composition with wood surround to shutter recesses and round doors. Reeded doorcases to principal rooms that to sitting room with lions head masks to angles. Ornamental plasterwork borders to ceiling of principal ground floor rooms and marble chimney pieces. Originally part of the Grafton estate.

{3} Undated photo, also photo dated 13.01.1994;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 13/156 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F10 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> Photographs of buildings in Stoke Bruerne (Photographs). SNN113273.

Record last edited

Feb 21 2024 4:29PM