Great Tresenny Farmhouse also known as Upper Tresenny

Cadw's description

Location

About 300m S of Grosmont village on the E side of the minor road from Grosmont to Hoaldalbert.

History

Early C17 three unit with cross-passage house. The present house was built in two main stages. Hall, cross-passage and centre service rooms date from c1600. A straight joint in the external masonry shows that the parlour block was added later, probably c1610. This interuption in construction is puzzling because, although built later, the parlour is an integral part of the original design. Fox and Raglan's explanation is that a medieval hall-house may formerly have existed on the site. About 1600, the first part of the new house was built next to it. Shortly afterwards the old hall was demolished to make way for the new parlour block, which completed the original design. More alterations were carried out c1690, when transom windows and new doors were added. It was probably at this time that the fireplace stair in the parlour was blocked and a new stair built against the partition in the centre lobby. An additional kitchen wing was added to the rear, probably in the late C17. Since then there have been relatively few changes and the house survives largely unaltered. In the early C18 Upper Tresenny belonged to the Parry family, and later (through marriage) the Hughes.

Exterior

Substantial C17 farmhouse. Whitewashed rubble stone with brick end-stacks and slate roof. Two storeys and attic. Entrance doorway to cross-passage is off-centre with flat head; plank door with strap hinges. Hall (to left) has late C17 3-light transom window on ground floor. To right of cross passage, ground-floor has blocked doorway with inserted window; centre mullion with 4-panes each side. Then an C18 12-pane iron-framed window (to parlour). First floor has (l to r) a tiny stone round-arched light to fireplace stair, then 4-light sunk-chamfered mullion window, an upper loading door with two fielded panels, next a former 4-light diamond mullion in a chamfered frame (centre mullion only survives), then C20 casement with C17 angled dripstone, and finally a tall two-light mullion, now blocked. N Gable has 2-light window to fireplace stair (right) and C17 two-light mullion windows on ground and first floors (left), the upper one with a bar dripstone supported on shaped brackets. Rear elevation has more surviving features from the original house. From the right, a 3-light mullion in false mitred frame on the upper floor. below this a similar window, then the cross-passage entry. The original passage entry with monolithic jambs has been reduced in width. Segmentally arched head with voussoirs and keystone; C18 door with beaded boards and strap hinges. To the left of the cross-passage is a C20 window, and then a late C18 9-pane metal casement, with similar window above.

Interior

Three unit with cross-passage plan. Entry into cross passage with hall to left, and service rooms and parlour to right. Cross passage ceiling joists are chamered with diagonal stops. On each side of cross-passage are fine early C17 post and panel partitions with four-centred arched doorways; blocked doorway with original c1600 door to left, the three other doorways have C20 boarded doors. To the right of the cross passage are two small service rooms, separated from the adjoining parlour by a third transverse post and panel partition. The parlour has deeply chamfered beams also with diagonal stops. Flanking the fireplace (left) is an opening with a finely-worked stone keel moulding to the right jamb (probably reused). The attic (directly above) has similar keel moulding, suggesting a fireplace stair formerly existed in this position. Attic has collar and tie beam trusses and two rows of purlins. (The N end of the house was unavailable for inspection at the time of resurvey).

Reason for designation

Remarkably unaltered and substantial farmhouse of c1600 retaining original detail of remarkably high quality, as well as rare original plan-form. Group value with the listed farm buildings at Great Tresenny.