SDO14692 - Service Room, Walnut Farm House, Cowgrove, Pamphill, Dorset. Building Survey and Recording

‘Terrain Archaeology undertook the recording of the 'service room' on the west end of Walnut Farm House (ST99000009) on behalf of the National Trust, in March 2002. The Farm House is aligned east-west and faces south and may be 16th century in date, with possible 17th century additions to the west end. The front elevation is late 18th century with west end alterations of a similar date. There is a 20th century east end extension. The service room may be of a similar date to the rest of the house as the position of the frame seems to correspond with the frame of the rest of the building. The external west wall contained the best preservation of the timber frame, which had been largely infilled with 19th century brickwork. The north and south elevations have been largely rebuilt in brick, probably dating to the 19th century refurbishments to the house; remnants of the timber framing could be identified in both elevations. The entrance to the service room was through a doorway at the north of the building leading into a through passage, formed by the external west wall of the main house and a plank and muntin partition. The ceiling of the service room was plastered on reed laths and was painted. At ceiling level two large beams ran longitudinally. Both beams were flat chamfered with quirk and tongue stops and both had been painted.’