Building record 8315/0/11 - Middle Farmhouse and attached outbuilding, Upper Benefield

{1} Farmhouse. Late C18/early and mid C19. Squared coursd limestone with Colleyweston slate and C20 plain-tile roofs. Orginally probably 3-unit plan. 2 storeys. 3-window range of C20 casements with glazing bars, in original openings, under gauged stone heads. Sash window with glazing bars to ground floor right under similar head. 6-panelled, part-glazed, door and stone gabled porch, to left of centre. 3 eaves dormers. Ashlar stacks at ridge and ends. Mid C19 two-storey stable, with hayloft, now outb ilding is attached to left. Central first floor doorway has flight of stone steps. 2 projecting wings to rear are late C18 to mid C19. 2 storeys, with 2 casement openings at first floor under wood lintels. Interior of house: early C19 staircase with stick balustrade. Room to left of entrance has open fireplace with bressumer. Room to right remodelled early C19 with marble fireplace and arch-head niches.

{3} The house appears to have begun life as a two or three unit dwelling subsequently converted and expanded into a single dwelling. There appear to be two key stages in the life of the house; the first being the conversion from multiple units to a single dwelling probably in the late 18th or early 19th century. The two rear wings are also likely to have been added at this time and the dressed stone frontage was also likely to have been created or modified.
Around the middle of the 19th century further improvement work took place and the south wing was extended to incorporate the larger first floor bedroom with its prominent sash window looking out onto Main Street. It is likely that the ground floor front room was also remodelled at or around this time. Later modifications to the house included the addition of the porch and the laying of the quarry tiles in the hall. Changes in the 20th century include the removal of the plaster work in some of the ground floor rooms and, probably, the gradual loss of the domestic staff and conversion of their rooms to family rooms. Throughout these changes small details, such as the window shutters, peg coat hooks and the servant bell have managed to survive and are a small but important part of the history of the house.

{4} Undated photo;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 11/35 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G09 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> Hyam A., 2015, A Level 2 Historic Building Record at Middle Farm House and Associated Barns Main Street, Upper Benefield, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN110644.

<4> Photographs of buildings in Benefield (Photographs). SNN111913.

Record last edited

Mar 18 2020 12:49PM