Whitley Farmhouse, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 (Grade II)

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ST 86 NE 1/185

MELKSHAM WITHOUT FIRST LANE,WHITLEY (south side) Whitley Farmhouse

Farmhouse. Late C17. Rubblestone, stone slate roof with saddleback coped verges, kneelers and finials. Ashlar stacks. L-plan with cross-passage. Two storeys, three windows. Central seven-plank door has moulded architrave and drip mould continuous with windows to left. Windows are three and two-light ovolo moulded mullions to left and to right is paired eight-pane sash in moulded architrave. Above are three Cotswold-type gables each with one three-light ovolo mullioned window with drip mould. Projecting wing to right is two-storey with two windows; three-light ovolo mullioned window with drip mould and one cross window to ground, above is jettied first floor landing with one casement, supported on timber posts and a stone column with Ionic capital. Three-light ovolo mullioned window to right. Windows to wing and rear of main house are similar; same Cotswold-type gables to rear and parlour window is four-light ovolo mullioned with king mullion.

Interior: parlour to right of front door has large stone four-centred arched fireplace and chamfered ceiling beams with plain stops. Stairs in main house and wing. Wing formerly used as services containing bakehouse, apple room and large cellar (now blocked). K Datestone in central gable, of 1696 below initials T M is from the dovecote demolished in 1960’s. This is a good example of a large C17 stone farmhouse.