Building record 767/2/3 - Manor Farmhouse

Manor Farmhouse is a multi-period house believed to have 17th century origins, but with visible fabric of 18th or early 19th century date. The house was enlarged and remodelled in the mid to late 19th century. Manor Farmhouse is built of coursed rubble ironstone, with a slated roof and brick chimney stacks. It is linear in form and of two storeys, with a lean-to addition to the north elevation and a two-storey extension to the rear elevation. Inside the evolved character of the building is characterised by long linking corridors and changes to floor and ceiling levels. The principal staircase is located at the east end of the house, it has stick balusters and circular newel posts with diminutive domed finials. There are a number of plain four-panel doors, some encased ceiling beams and some evidence of earlier fabic in the roof space. There are large cellar areas at the east end of the house. Historic map evidence suggests that the field to the south and east of the farmhouse is the possible site of the medieval Manor House which gave the farmstead its name. The famhouse was assessed for listing in 2010 but failed to meet the required criteria.

{1} Identified by South Northamptonshire Council as being a building of historic and/or architectural significance.

{2} Manor Farmhouse, Northampton Road, Litchborough is a multi-period house, believed to have 17th century origins, but with visible fabric of 18th or early 19th century date, subsequently enlarged and remodelled in the mid-late 19th century. The Ordnance Survey map of 1885 shows a roughly T-shaped building aligned roughly east-west on the north side of a narrow farmyard, with ranges of farm buildings to the south and east of the farmhouse. The historic map depiction of the site suggests that the field to the east of the farmstead was thought to be the site of the Manor House which gave the farmstead its name. The 1900 map edition shows an enlarged house of a significantly different footprint, with an irregular L-shaped range to the road frontage, linked to which is a narrower L-shaped range which extends from the centre of the road frontage range, its longer arm running parallel to the frontage range and extending westwards. The modern map representation is different again, with an L-shaped building to the road frontage area of the site, its narrow arm extending westwards, and the deepest part of the building occupying the eastern end of the plot. The added L-shaped wing shown on the 1900 map no longer exists. The earliest surviving phase appears to be the west end of the house, the remainder dating in the main to 19th century. The interior plan is complex, and together with changes in floor level throughout reflects the evolved nature of the house as indicated by the Ordnance Survey sequence. The central and eastern parts of the house appear later in date, with a 19th century lean-to section added to the north elevation incorporating a new entrance doorway. A parallel wing was also added to the rear of the road frontage range at the west end during the 19th century. The setting of the farmhouse changed considerably in the 20th century with the construction of large sheds which have replaced some earlier farm outbuildings and associated yards. The building has not been occupied for several decades, and is now enclosed on the south and west sides by new housing development.

Manor Farmhouse is built of coursed rubble ironstone, with a slated roof and brick chimney stacks. It is linear in form and of two storeys, with a lean-to addition to the north elevation and a substantial two-storey extension to the rear elevation at the east end. Much of the external walling is covered in ivy, which has obscured much of the exterior architectural detail. Although the ridge height is consistent throughout, the eastern part of the building has stone copings which appear to indicate the phased development of this range. The added rear range also has coped gables, and a single brick chimney to the east gable. The detailing of the exterior, where it can be seen, suggests a vernacular architectural character to the earlier west end, and polite detailing to the remodelled and added sections. This is most evident in the detailing of window frames and openings, with simple casements beneath timber lintels at the west end, and sash windows with fine glazing bars at the east end. Internally, the building is in a dilapidated and vandalised state, with most of the fireplaces having been robbed of their surrounds. The ground-floor room to the west has been adapted for non-domestic use and has chamferred and stopped ceiling beams which probably date to the 17th century and are consistent with the earliest phase of the building. The evolved character of the building is characterised by long linking corridors and changes to floor and ceiling levels. The principal staircase is located in the east end of the house, and has an intermediate landing giving access to different floor levels. The stair has stick balusters and circular newel posts with diminutive domed finials. There are a number of plain four-panel doors, some encased ceiling beams and some vestigial evidence of possibly earlier fabric in the accessible areas of the roof space, most notably the stepped chimney breast to the centremost chimney stack. There are large cellar areas at the east end of the house, accessed by means of a wide stair.

Manor Farmhouse is a much altered vernacular building which has undergone successive phases of alteration and enlargement. It is now of predominantly 19th century character and appearance, and retains few visible significant elements of its original vernacular phase. Its original plan form has been almost completely lost to internal remodelling, and most of the undisturbed parts of the interior are of 19th century date, as are the principal stair, hearth surrounds and window and door joinery. There is no visible evidence of early historic fabric or notable roof carpentry. Although there are surviving examples of 19th century sash windows and panelled doors. However, the 19th century fabric is not of such significance as to strengthen the case for designation. When assessing vernacular houses for designation, the survival of external architectural detail, evidence of the original plan form and the presence of contemporary fixtures and fittings are significant factors in the designation assessment. Evidence of adaptive or evolutionary change can add to the interest of a building, but can, as in this instance, be so extensive that little of the earliest phase of development is retained. The building, although in need of extensive repair, appears still capable of beneficial use, and in a refurbished state would still contribute in a positive way to the appearance of its location at the entrance to Litchborough Village. However, overall the evidence of the earliest building phase is too fragmentary and the building has been too altered to merit listing in a national context.

SOURCES:
Brunskill RW, 'Illustrated Handbook of Vernacular Architecture', (1987)

Manor Farmhouse, Litchborough in Northamptonshire is not considered to be of special architectural interest in a national context and is not recommended for designation.

Manor Farmhouse, Litchborough in Northamptonshire, a multi-phase 19th century building with 17th century origins, is not recommended for designation for the following principal reasons:
* Architectural Interest: The building is of modest architectural interest as an example of vernacular architecture
* Alteration. The building has undergone successive phases of remodelling affecting its footprint, interior plan-form and external architectural detailing. These alterations have significantly and detrimentally affected its character and appearance. (1)

<1> SOUTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL, 2012, South Northamptonshire Council Survey of Significant Historic Buildings, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN108984.

<2> ENGISH HERITAGE, English Heritage Listing File, Heritage Protection Adviser, 26th August 2010 (Report). SNN111579.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 7:14PM