Building record 249/4/1 - Westhill House, Attached Outbuilding & Walls

House. Early C17, altered and extended two bays to left (south) late C17.

{1} House. Early C17, altered and extended two bays to left (south) late C17. Three right bays coursed limestone rubble banded with ironstone. 2 storeys. Two left bays under one gable, coursed limestone rubble, two storeys with attic. Artifical stone slate roof, brick and stone stacks. U-plan. Blocked 2-light stone mullioned window to cellar in second bay from left. Entrance in third bay from right has stone lintel, 6-panel door and timber lattice work porch. 2-light window with wood lintel and old iron casement to left. 2-light window with wood lintel and C20 casement to right. 4-light window with wood lintel and old iron casement in right bay. Similar windows in right bay on the first floor and third bay from right. 2-light casement window with wood lintel in second bay from right. Two left bays have 2-light windows with stone lintels and wood mullions and transoms on both floors. 2-light casement window with plain stone frame to attic. Coped gable ends with kneelers flanking gabled wings at rear. Interior not inspected but noted as having a late C17 fireplace with bolection surround in the hall, re-arranged early C17 panelling, and chequer floor of white Culworth stone and black Byfield stone. A bedroom has early C17 panelling with carved frieze and elaborate fireplace surround and overmantel with 2 arches flanked by Doric columns. Outbuilding, adjoining left wing at rear, probably c.1700. Squared coursed ironstone, slate roof, brick stack. One storey, 2 bays. Doorway in right bay with wood lintel, and 3-light casement window with wood lintel to left. Interior not inspected. Wall, extending from the east and west fronts of the house along the High Street. C17, squared coursed ironstone with stone coping. West section is L-plan, turning north at an angle to divide the house from the farmyard.

{3} Building assessment, plans and photos. The farmhouse is a fine example of a 17th century rural Northamptonshire house. Whereas most farmhouses of this type were built for yeoman farmers, it is clear from the historic development and fabric of Westhill farmhouse that it is not an ordinary 17th century farmhouse. Its size, internal decoration and associated structures suggest a much loftier status than that of yeoman farmer. There are manorial links with the farmhouse but these have not as yet been fully explored.

{4} Undated photo;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 10/8 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F03 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> Kelleher S., 2010, Westhill Farmhouse, Culworth, Northamptonshire: Historic Building Recording, p.7-16 (checked) (Report). SNN108068.

<4> Photographs of buildings in Culworth (Photographs). SNN111617.

Record last edited

Sep 28 2022 3:59PM