Devon farmhouse officially recognised as 'at risk'

We are heartened that a medieval farmhouse on the edge of Exmoor, the site of a SPAB Guerilla Working Party to secure the building for the winter, has been officially recognised as ‘at risk’ by Historic England this week.

The Heritage at Risk Register, published 8 November, describes the building as “a remarkably unspoilt medieval farmhouse, multiphased, with a surviving 15th century roof structure of some architectural detail and an interesting plan form”.

Earlier this year, the SPAB saw the importance of the cob dwelling and contacted Historic England and the local authority conservation officer for permission to assist and gained local support. Within days, in the depths of January, a group of expert volunteers travelled to Devon to carry out a targeted schedule of ‘guerilla’ conservation. The 22-strong group assembled at the Grade II*-listed building to carry out essential work to prevent the remote medieval farmhouse from passing a point of no return.

The SPAB’s work has been instrumental in identifying the threat facing this special building. We hope that its addition to the Heritage at Risk Register will attract more attention and possible funding for this medieval survivor.

Watch the news report featuring the farmhouse and other buildings added to the register in the South West on BBC iPlayer.

  
Devon farmhouse before emergency repair works