Listed Building record MDR11149 - Westthorpe Farmhouse, Westthorpe Road, Killamarsh

Westthorpe Farmhouse, Westthorpe Road, Killamarsh, an early 17th century building. Westhorpe Farmhouse is a house of two storeys plus attics dated by dendrochronology to the period 1640-45. It is built to an L-shaped plan which is comparatively unusual at this date, consisting of a two-bay front range gabled east-west, with a single-bay rear range projecting north of its west end. The house is constructed of coursed sandstone and has mullioned windows with double-chamfered surrounds and hood-moulds. The ground floor accommodation consists of a housebody and parlour in the east and west ends of the front range respectively, and a further room in the rear range. In the housebody there was a hearth on the east gable, served by a smoke-hood of which fragments survive. Access to the first floor was probably via a stair tower (now removed) in the angle formed by the two ranges. Probably in the mid-18th century a one-and-a-half storey outshot was added; further alterations occurred in the late 19th and 20th centuries. The ground-floor room in the rear range was closed off from the remainder of the house and was used latterly as a pigeon loft. (1) A total of 15 samples from roof timbers and from the smoke hood were obtained for dendro dating. Satisfactory results were obtained and it was suggested that the timbers, including those of the smoke hood, came from a single felling which probably took place sometime between 1640 and 1645. (2-3) From the National Heritage List for England: 'KILLAMARSH WESTHORPE SK 48 SE 1263-/3/10000 Westhorpe Farmhouse GV II Farmhouse. Early C17, possibly incorporating elements of an earlier dwelling, now with C20 alterations and additions. Coursed rubble Coal Measures sandstone, now almost wholly concealed by smooth cement renders, with sandstone dressings, plain gables, one gable and one ridge stack, both C19 brick. Pantiled roof, with Welsh slated and stone slated eaves, replacing stone slate covering. L plan house, with C20 offshuts to south (front) elevation and west elevation, the latter with a C18 two storeyed offshut to the rear range. South elevation. Two bays, two storeys and attics, now with C17 doorway concealed with C20 half glazed porch, which adjoins rendered flat roofed extension to ground floor west bay. Massive chamfered surround and lintel to off- centre C17 doorway, with planked and braced door hung from contemporary strap hinges. To the east, former two-light recessed chamfer mullion window sits beneath continuous drip mould serving doorway. C20 two light casement replaces mullion here, and to first floor two-light window above. West bay with former three light window beneath former two-light window above. West gable with off-centre stacked 2 light windows, formerly all mullioned, now with attic window with mullion, and blocked light, first floor with surviving mullion and ground floor without mullion. Gable apex unrendered. Two bay rear wing with two ground floor C17 window openings now without mullions, and beneath rendered continuous drip mould. Single first floor opening with C20 two- light casement. North gable unrendered, with stacked former two- light chamfer mullion windows with drip moulds. Attic window blocked, first floor window with mullion removed, ground floor enlarged to farm doorway. Lean-to addition to east sidewall, with two light window above shuttered opening, and to the north a flight of stone steps leading to first floor doorway. East gable with two blocked C17 single-light attic windows. Interior. Ground floor hearth to west bay serves front range room and attached rear range room. Remnants of smoke hood to first and attic floors against east gable. C17 spine beams and joists, the former with C17 chamfer stops, to front and rear ranges. Double purlin roof carried on collar and tie beam trusses, with straight wind braces on alternate sides and bays. Window stair against east gable, with boarded door adjacent to first floor hearth. Stair newel in attic with polygonal finial. Listing NGR: SK4547080014.' (4)