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Summary

A medieval evolved courtyard plan farmstead which was altered and enlarged in the 19th century. The west range is a much-ruined domestic range, now in use as a barn; the current farmhouse is within the northern range. To the south of the main courtyard a low sandstone wall marks the site of the now demolished south barns and horse engine house.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SS42SW/8

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• FARMSTEAD (XIX - 1801 AD (Between) to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Devon County Council, 1838-1848, Tithe Mosaic, approximately 1838-1848 (Cartographic). SDV349431.

Burrow farmstead is shown as as ranges of buildings around a courtyard with entrances in the centre of the east side and at the southern end of the house (shown in red) on the west side. The southern range has a horse engine house projecting into the yard. To the east of the main farmstead is another rectangular building by an orchard.

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

Farmstead marked as Burrow. Comparison with the Tithe Map shows the addition of buildings to the east of the main range. The implication is that the house is on the north side of the main courtyard as a curving path is shown leading to the lane. A well (W) is also marked.

Rogers, W. H. H., 1926, Orleigh: An Ancient House, 185 (Article in Serial). SDV7705.

Stephen Norcott was gifted 'Borough' by Sir John Rolle before 1714, for saving his life during a riot in London. Initials R.C. and date of 1681 carved in plaster on the wall of an attic perhaps indicate that Richard Chapman of Hankford, Bulkworthy was a previous owner.

Historic England, 2024, Burrough Farm and associated agricultural buildings, Buckland Brewer, Bideford (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV366256.

Burrough Farm and its associated agricultural buildings are not recommended for listing for the following principal reasons: The remains of the medieval farmhouse and surrounding farmstead have been much altered which has compromised their claims to special interest. The surviving buildings are not architecturally distinguished from many other agricultural buildings of similar date, nor are they technologically innovative. The farmstead plays some part in understanding the impact and influence of Mark Rolles on the Rolle Estate affording it a degree of interest, however, this is not sufficient to detract from the lack of planning and architectural interest. Although the farmstead holds some interest as a farmhouse with associated 19th century farm buildings, they do not form a comprehensive planned farmstead and have been compromised by later alteration.

Historic England, 2024, Burrough Farm and associated agricultural buildings, Buckland Brewer, Bideford, Devon (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV366093.

Notification that Historic England are considering the farmstead for Listing and have completed an initial assessment. The application was prompted by proposals for redevelopment of the farm buildings for domestic purposes.
The surviving buildings are laid out in an evolved medieval courtyard plan, altered and enlarged in the C19. The north, west and east ranges are connected to create a U-shaped plan with detached barns to the south and west. The current farmhouse is located within the northern range, running parallel with the road. The west range is a much-ruined domestic range now in use as a barn. The east range is a linear group of ancillary farm buildings. To the south is a detached linhay and stable block, the ruined remains of earlier barns and a horse engine-house. To the west is a T-shaped range of detached barns.
Fabric analysis would suggest that the earliest buildings at Burrough Farm date from the medieval period with the farmhouse starting life as a three-room arrangement with central cross passage, hall to the west and chamber to the east. Gable end chimney stacks were likely added in the C17. The tall, eastern gable end stack built of fine dressed blocks has the remains of a dressed weather course and slate flashings, potentially indicating a former thatched roof.
The farmyard is now mainly used for storage purposes with a modern pole barn to the east. The farmhouse underwent internal upgrading and modernisation in 2019 and is now in use as a residential care unit.
To the south of the main courtyard a low coursed sandstone wall survives marking out the plan form of the now demolished south barns and horse engine-house.
See report for full details and description.

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

Burrow marked. The layout of the farm is still largely that shown on the 1880s-1890s map although part of the south range, including the horse engine house has gone. The Well is marked to the north of the main courtyard, close to the lane.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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