Building record 295/5/1 - Priory Farmhouse

Farmhouse. Early C17 with C19 alterations. Coursed limestone rubble with ironstone dressings, slate roof, massive stone ridge stack with four diagonal brick flues, end stack with a pair of square brick flues.

{1} Farmhouse. Early C17 with C19 alterations. Coursed limestone rubble with ironstone dressings, slate roof, massive stone ridge stack with four diagonal brick flues, end stack with a pair of square brick flues. 4-unit plan. 2-storey, 4-window range. Principal front to garden has part-glazed door to left of centre, with chamfered stone surround with 4-centred arched head, cut spandrels and hood mould flanked by large 3-light casement windows with timber lintels, central 3-light ovolo stone mullion window with hood mould, similar window to right of square window with timber lintel. Similar stone window to first floor right. 3-light casements to first floor centre and left and 2-light casement over door, all with timber lintels. Interior has chamfered spine beams and blocked stone chimney with 4-centred arch head and overmantel.

{3} Survey of the building suggests it was built during the first half of the 17th century, almost certainly by the Emilys, who held the manor of Netherbury in Helmdon from the late 16th century through to the end of the 18th century. The quality of the architectural detailing of the mullioned windows and fireplaces indicates it was intended to be a high status dwelling. It may occupy the site of the manor house of Netherbury first documented in the early 15th century. The farmhouse was still known as Netherbury or Copes Manor in the late 18th/19th century.
The original layout of the farmhouse appears to have been of three-unit cross-passage type with back-to-bac fireplaces in the hall and parlour range and a separate heated room to the west. The service wing to the north was probably added in the late 17th century.
Various 19th-century alterations include subdivision of the hall/kitchen range, the addition of the lean-to scullery and a small stone outbuilding to the immediate north-east of the farmhouse, as well as blocking up of older mullioned windows and insertion of new casement windows.

{4} Undated photo, also photo dated 26.11.1993;

{6} Drawing, paintings with measurements;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 14/26 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F07 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> Priestley, S, 2021, Archaeological Standing Building Recording: Priory Farm, Sulgrave Road, Helmdon (Report). SNN112358.

<4> Photographs of buildings in Helmdon (Photographs). SNN112671.

<5> Crank, N. (Editor), 2023, South Midlands Archaeology (53), P. 54 (Journal). SNN116414.

<6> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/144/16 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Sep 18 2024 10:21AM