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Summary

The remains of a medieval bakehouse to the north-west of the farmhouse.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1212726: ANCILLARY BAKE HOUSE AND FORMER PRISON TO NORTH OF BATSON HALL FARMHOUSE BATSON HALL FARMHOUSE CYDER POUND TO NORTH EAST OF BATSON HALL FARMHOUSE

Other References/Statuses

• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SX73NW2

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• BAKEHOUSE (Built, XIV to XV - 1301 AD (Between) to 1500 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1980, SX73NW2 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV157306.

A bakehouse with a domed oven (citing DoE 1974).

Wapshott, E., 2024, Batson Hall Farm, Batson, Salcombe Devon. Heritage Assessment - Bakehouse Ruins (Report - Assessment). SDV365951.

An assessment of the significance of the ruins of the bakehouse building at Batson Hall Farm was carried out by South West Archaeology in advance of proposed consolidation and restoration works. The bakehouse is a small, square stone building to the north-west of the farmhouse. Considered to have been built in the 14th-15th century, it is now a tall, single storey roofless shell incorporating a modern timber roofed frame. It is in poor condition, although partly protected and stabilised by the roofed timber frame.
Its north and west sides are now set into the slope but originally it would have stood detached. There is a window high up in the east wall, which may have been enlarged at some stage. A set of later 20th century garden steps abuts the east wall. Three phases of stone work can be identified in the east wall with medieval stonework at the south end, repaired and altered post medieval stone work in the centre while at the north end the exterior face of the stonework was almost wholly rebuilt in the 20th century (Fig. 6). The north wall of the building has partially collapsed. It is now topped by an ancient yew tree whose roots are growing into the wall but which itself is protected by a TPO. The floor is paved with concrete patio tiles.
The south wall, facing the house, has the best surviving stonework. The west wall also retains some fine stonework but has been much altered. It contains the remains of a large hearth, where it is now set into the bank, with the remains corbelled stonework which once rose to a large stack above. There is a domed malting kiln in the south-west corner and a small bread oven to the south. It is possible that another oven stood in the north-west corner but the area is obscured by a partial collapse here. The corbelling, bread oven and kiln suggest a 14th-15th date.
The bake house is a small medieval working building and as such is considered to be of high archaeological and historical interest. It is important that it is consolidated, and therefore a pragmatic approach is needed to ensure its survival.

Ordnance Survey, 2024, Mastermap 2024 (Cartographic). SDV365834.

Small, square ruined building shown to the north of the farmhouse.

Historic England, 2024, National Heritage List for England, 1212726 (National Heritage List for England). SDV365835.

Ancillary bake-house and former prison to north of Batson Hall Farmhouse. Remains of Bake-house, with domed oven and small side cavity at low level.
See listing description for details of other buildings listed as part of complex.
Date first listed: 27th February 1974

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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