West Orchard Farmhouse

Cadw's description

Location

About 400m west of the Church of St Athan.

History

This house is probably late C16 to C17 in origin and is two units, the Hall and Parlour, of a developed three unit house of which the service end is now a separate property, Aderyn (qv). The house was refurbished and re-windowed probably in the early C19, and has been altered again when it was divided into two properties in 2001.

Exterior

Wholly rendered and painted over local lias limestone rubble, Welsh slate roof with three square rubble ridge stacks. Two storeys, three windows, 8 over 8 pane sashes. The final bay to the right has a gabled stone porch with round-headed outer opening, modern door within. This leads to the cross-passage. There is a stack backing onto the passage for the Hall and two further stacks, one on the ridge, probably a later addition, for the bedrooms and one on the left gable for the Parlour. The rear elevation has a large two storey outshut for a branching staircase and this has a small square window. To the left of this is a modern lean-to to house the new kitchen made necessary by the division of the historic house in 2001.

Interior

The interior has three 2-centred headed chamfered stone doorways with pyramid stops. The Hall ceiling has a chamfered beam with pyramid stops. There is a double stair in the north outshut and there are other chamfered beams, but the interior was modernised, probably in the early C19. The roof structure was not seen. The double stair may suggest that the range was in two builds, and there is an additional firestair.

Reason for designation

Included for its special interest as a possibly late C16 house which retains significant historic features and planning detail.