Preserving History at Park Farmhouse, St Margaret’s, Herefordshire

Park Farmhouse, located in the picturesque village of St Margaret’s, Herefordshire, stands as a testament to the architectural and historical richness of the late 16th and mid-17th centuries. This once-farmhouse has undergone several alterations and extensions over the centuries, evolving into the unique structure we see today. Our recent project focused on preserving and repairing the timber frame of this historic building, ensuring its continued legacy for future generations.

Repairs to Park Farmhouse

Historical Significance

List Description

Park Farmhouse is a distinguished example of historical architecture with a rich and complex history:

• Construction and Extensions: The original structure, dating back to the late 16th century, was a timber-framed house with plastered panels. In the mid-17th century, the building was extended, incorporating coursed stone rubble and timber-framed walls later rebuilt in stone during the 18th century.

• Architectural Features: The house features a 4-bay range, with two bays remaining from the original timber-framed house. Noteworthy elements include a stone gable end stack, a stone lateral stack with a brick shaft, and various original timber-framing elements such as jowled storey-posts and collar and tie-beam trusses.

• Interior Details: Inside, the house boasts exposed timber-framing, a newel staircase with a heavy string, moulded handrail, and splat balusters. The C17 extension includes chamfered beams, a large gable-end fireplace with chamfered stone jambs, and ovens.

Project Overview

Our involvement with Park Farmhouse centered on conducting a thorough survey of the building and developing a comprehensive repair plan for its timber frame. This essential work aimed to preserve the structural integrity and historical authenticity of the farmhouse.

Survey and Documentation

To ensure a detailed understanding of the building’s condition, we began with an extensive survey. This process included:

1. Photographic Documentation: Capturing high-resolution images of both the exterior and interior elements to document current conditions and identify areas needing repair.

2. Timber Frame Assessment: A meticulous examination of the timber frame, focusing on the integrity of the original materials and the extent of any damage or deterioration.

3. Historical Research: Investigating the building’s history to understand previous alterations and repairs, which informed our approach to the restoration.

Death watch beetle decay

Repair Strategy

Based on our survey findings, we developed a tailored repair strategy that respected the building’s historical significance while addressing its current needs:

1. Structural Repairs: Reinforcing and repairing the timber frame to ensure structural stability. This involved replacing damaged timbers with historically accurate materials and techniques.

2. Conservation Techniques: Employing conservation methods to preserve as much of the original timber as possible. This included treatments to prevent further deterioration and the use of reversible interventions where necessary.

3. Aesthetic Consistency: Ensuring that all repairs were in keeping with the building’s historical appearance. This involved carefully matching the new materials to the original ones in terms of texture, colour, and size.

New tenon to stud

Listed Building Consent

Securing listed building consent was a crucial step in this project. Our detailed heritage statement and repair plans facilitated a smooth approval process:

1. Heritage Statement: We provided a comprehensive document outlining the historical importance of Park Farmhouse, the necessity of the repairs, and our proposed methods.

2. Detailed Drawings: Our drawings clearly depicted the current state of the building and the planned interventions, helping the authorities understand and approve our approach.
   

17th Century splat baluster staircase

Conclusion

The work on Park Farmhouse not only preserved a significant historical structure but also enhanced our understanding of timber-framed buildings from this period. Our careful and respectful approach to the repairs has ensured that Park Farmhouse will continue to be a cherished part of Herefordshire’s architectural heritage.

At Montez Architecture Ltd, we are dedicated to the meticulous preservation of historic buildings. Our work on Park Farmhouse exemplifies our commitment to blending modern conservation techniques with a deep respect for historical integrity. We look forward to returning in the future to further support the preservation of this remarkable building. Stay tuned for more updates on our ongoing efforts to safeguard our architectural heritage.