Building record 2686/0/14 - Forge Cottage

A house built in 1598, reconstructed during the 17th century and with 18th and 19th century alterations is situated on the north eastern side of Main Street, as the road heads south to Mill Street. The building is constructed of squared coursed limestone and brick with a double pitch Collyweston slate roof with projecting parapets and chimney stacks at the gables and on the roof. The building is mainly single story with an attic range lit by three gabled dormer windows grouped to the left. The entrance door is central with two casement windows to its left and one on its right. The right hand (southern) bay is a former forge that was added during the 17th century and now has a carriage entrance with a flat timber lintel. A 19th century addition is located on the far left and is two stories high with a shallow pitch roof. This part was a carriage entrance that was blocked and a canted bay window inserted. The upper part was in brick but has been rebuilt in stone and now has had two gabled dormer windows.

{1} House and forge, now one dwelling. Dated 1598, reconstructed C17 and C18 with C19 addition. Squared coursed limestone and brick, with Collyweston slate roofs. Originally one- and 2-unit plans. Part single storey with attic and part 2-storey. Main house is an irregular 3-window range with central bay breaking forward slightly. C19 casement to left has moulded stone surround. Single-light window to left of centre has ashlar surround. Casement window with glazing bars, to right, is under wood lintel. Evidence of refenestration to this window. 3 gabled eaves dormers have C19 casement windows. Central plank door, under wood lintel, and double plank doors to far right, also under wood lintels. Bay to far right was originally the forge. Ashlar gable parapet to right and brick stack at end. 2-storey, one-bay, extension, attached to left, has stone ground floor and brick first floor and was originally an open carriage arch. Ashlar canted bay window added into carriage arch late C19. C20 casement window above. Plank door, to right, has ashlar surround. Lateral stack to rear. Interior: entrance hall has spine beam with inscribed date 1598 flanked by fluting. Small open fireplace, with bressumer, on the rear wall. (RCHM: An Inventory of Architectural Monuments in North Northamptonshire: p175)

{3} Has a beam inscribed '1598' flanked by fluting, presumably the building date, but the appearance of the house is 17th and 18th century due to general rebuilding. The 16th-century house was probably of two rroms with a stack on the rear wall. A window in the west front formerl;y had mullions. The south compartment became a smithy and is now open to the roof.

{4} Undated photo;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 15/241 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G12 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1984, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 175/15 (Series). SNN77384.

<4> Photographs of buildings in Yarwell (Photographs). SNN114368.

<5> Historic England, Forge Cottage, Yarwell, BF084317 (Archive). SNN115193.

Record last edited

Jun 19 2023 4:34PM