Building record 1245030000 - BOWERS FARMHOUSE, MAGPIE LANE

Grade II. C17; timber frame with red brick nogging, some dated 1686. Old tile roof, original stack on left with four octagonal shafts. Two storeys, four modern 3-light leaded casements. Right hand bay dated 1686 in black headers on back wall. Former carriage arch beneath this section now enclosed. Some original C17 oak framed, lead glazed casements in back wall. Interior: large cambered arched inglenook in left-hand room, C17 staircase, three C17 moulded brick fireplaces on first floor (B1).
Structural, social and economic history of building (B2).
In November 2011, historic building recording was undertaken at Bowers Farm at the owner's request. Bowers Farm is a Grade II listed timber framed house of four and a half bays encompassing two storeys and attics. The first three bays were constructed around 1615 followed by the carriageway in 1686, creating a fourth bay at the eastern end of the building. There are several extensions to the house, the earliest of which is possibly late 17th or early 18th century and comprises the core of the northern addition to the house. This was subsequently added to in the 19th and again in the 20th century. A brick built extension to the west of the house appears to be of 19th century date and links the house with former farm buildings to the southwest. In the late 20th century Bowers was extended at the east end and the interior layout was subject to alterations. The house is one of several in the hamlet dating from before 1650 and is clearly of architectural significance in that the upper floor was designed specifically to allow the owner greater privacy. The house was divided into cottages in the late 18th century but reinstated in the early 19th century after which it was part of a working farm until the early 20th century. The last use of the buildings for agricultural purposes was in 1964 when the barn that had been rented out to a local farmer burnt down (B3).