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Summary

A 16th century through-passage house, altered in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1106515: WILTOWN FARMHOUSE

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: ST11NE/21
• Old Listed Building Ref (II)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• FARMHOUSE (Built, XVI - 1501 AD to 1600 AD (Between))

Full description

Historic England, 06/08/2015, Wiltown Farm, Clayhidon, EX15 3TP (Correspondence). SDV358953.

Notification that Historic England have received an application to amend the entry for Wiltown Farm. An assessment is underway.

Department of Environment, 1987, Clayhidon, 18 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV338149.

Wiltown farmhouse. House, formerly a farmhouse. Possibly late c16, much remodelled, especially in the c19. Random rubble chert with brick dressing; gable end slate roof. Originally a 3-room, cross-passage house, the service end to the left of the passage. The hall stack appears to have been inserted into the passage, but as the interior was not inspected the date of the insertion could not be ascertained; left-hand internal end stack heats service end; inner room originally unheated until late insertion of lateral internal corner stack. All stacks with brick shafts.2 storeys. Exterior front: late-victorian regular 3-window range; first floor with 4-pane horned sash windows; a similar window to either side of quarter-glazed door under slate-roofed canopy. All windows with brick surrounds. The inner room is obscured by a range of former farmbuildings extending forward of the house. Interior: in the hall the remains of a c16 ceiling with intersecting beams of composite moulding forming 2 panels; unstopped chamfered lintel to fireplace. External inspection suggests that the roof was raised in the c19, but remains of an earlier roof may survive.

Clements, H. A., 1994, Survey of Farmsteads in the Devon Part of the Blackdown Hills, Plan and photo (Report - Survey). SDV344050.

17th century farmhouse.

Rook, P., 2013, Built on Earth, 54 (Report - non-specific). SDV350997.

Ordnance Survey, 2016, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV359352.

Historic England, 2016, National Heritage List for England (National Heritage List for England). SDV359353.

Wiltown Farmhouse. Date first listed: 15th April 1987. Date of most recent amendment: 17th June 2016.
Summary of Building
A C16 through-passage house, altered in the C19 and C20.
Reasons for Designation
Wiltown Farm, a C16 through-passage house altered in the C19 and C20, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Survival of early fabric: for the survival of C16 fabric which is of high quality, particularly the ceilings of the hall and inner room, the hall fireplace and stack and the early structural walls;
* Floor plan: the survival of the floor plan of a C16 through-passage house, which allows an understanding of the layout and operation of the building.
History
Wiltown Farm is believed to date from the C16, and the house and outbuildings are shown on the 1838 tithe map in much the same layout as they are today, and the farm at this time was tenanted. The southern end of the house is believed to have been rebuilt at some point between the 1838 map and the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map of 1890, by which time the plan of the house has taken on its present form, with the distinctive set-back on the western elevation.
It is possible that some other alterations took place at this time, including the partial rebuilding of upper floors, the replacement of the roof, and the insertion of sash windows. Further alterations took place in the C20, including the insertion of uPVC windows.
Details
A C16 through-passage house, altered in the C19 and C20.
MATERIALS: The house is understood to have originally been constructed of cob, with parts rebuilt in stone and brick now with a modern render, and sits under a slate roof.
PLAN: The house and outbuildings are laid around a loose courtyard, with the house aligned roughly north-south.
EXTERIOR: The eastern, entrance elevation has a largely C19 appearance, with a central door flanked by tall windows. The modern door is of timber with a glazed upper part with margin lights and sits under a slate roofed canopy, and the windows are modern uPVC replacements in brick surrounds with cambered heads and quoin detailing. The walls have a modern render, the roof is of slate and there are two brick stacks on the ridge. Projecting from the northern end is an outbuilding now converted to form part of the house.
The western elevation is of four bays, the northern two projecting further and possibly showing the line of the original building. There is a lean-to enclosed veranda along the southern part.
INTERIOR: The main entrance opens into what is most likely the original through-passage, now with a C19 quarry tiled floor. To the south, the former service end, which is thought to have been rebuilt in the C19, is a large room with a timber fire surround, painted to resemble marble, with picture rail and four panelled timber door. North of the passage is the hall, which contains the remains of a substantial C16 ceiling, with intersecting beams forming two panels. The principal beams have deep composite mouldings, the secondary members are mostly replaced but appear to use original mortice holes. There is a large fireplace with a substantial lintel, chamfered but without stops, and evidence within of an oven. Beneath the adjacent modern stair is possible evidence of an earlier winder stair. The northern room has plain chamfered and stopped beams.
The upper floor is of lesser interest, but retains some C19 doors and a fire surround, and is otherwise largely plain. It is understood that the floor level has been raised at the northern end of the building, and the upper sections of the walls appear also to have been rebuilt, most likely in the C19. In the roof space, the upper section of the chimney stack displays evidence of the line of the earlier roof, approximately one foot below the line of the present roof. The roof structure has been replaced.

Historic England, 2016, Wiltown Farmhouse, Clayhidon, Cullompton, Devon (Correspondence). SDV359649.

Notification that the entry for Wiltown Farmhouse has been amended and that the building is listed Grade II. Following that listing there has been uncertainty surrounding the listing and whether it refers to this property or the neighbouring property, Willtown Farm. Comparing the existing List entry to the photograph of the building from the time of the survey and its appearance today, it is clear that Wiltown Farm is the building which was intended to be listed. This reappraisal of Wiltown Farm has demonstrated that, on balance, it continues to warrant its place on the List. While alteration has taken place, the quality of the original C16 or C17 fabric that survives is such that this outweighs the losses. An updated List entry will enable us to provide clarity as to where the special interest of the building lies, and to assist with its ongoing management. After examining all the records and other relevant information, and having carefully considered the architectural and historic interest of this case, the criteria for listing are fulfilled. Wiltown Farm should remain listed at Grade II.
REASONS FOR DESIGNATION DECISION
The List entry for Wiltown Farm should be amended for the following principal reasons:
* Clarity: to confirm the building's listing and to provide clarity as to where its special interest lies;
* Updating the designation base: an updated List entry will assist in the future management of the building.

Historic England, 2016, Wiltown Farmhouse, Wiltown Farm, Clayhidon (Correspondence). SDV359582.

Historic England has received an application to clarify the designation status of Wiltown Farm and the adjoining property, Willtown Farm. Wiltown Farm was listed in 1987, however there has been some confusion as to which building is listed. Historic England are assessing both properties afresh.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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