NHER 16211 (Building record) - Manor Farm, Downham

December 1950. Listed Grade II.

June 1980. Field Observation.
Visit by E. Rose (NAU).
Basically early 16th century, according to former owner, and thought to be a dower house for Kimberley Hall (i.e. Downham Hall at that date) though present owners claim it was once a grange of Wymondham Abbey.
West wall of flint and random brick with blocked windows suitable for such a date. Flint plinth under facade also; and large fireplace found by former owner. Also, reused in roof, carved wooden wallplate of around 1600 now in Stanfield Hall (seen by E. Rose). Former owner claims that a former hall house plan is visible inside. Present east facade of brick, two storey, three large windows on each with moulded jambs (mullions replaced). Former central doorway now blocked and made in window - small original window above. New doorway to north. North gable wall has two small brick hoodmoulded windows. Octagonal chimney here, and group in centre. All this work is of around 1630-1640.
Name Manor Farm is not old; formerly Oak Farm.
Compiled by E. Rose (NAU), 4 June 1980. Information from record card (S1).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 19 March 2022.

Revised 1994 listing dates to early 17th century and says the plan is lobby entrance. It considers the large ovolo-mullioned façade windows to be original. Inside the centre east room has a sunk quadrant bridging beam with bar stops and roll moulded joists. Similar room to south has similar arrangement. The fireplace has two orders of sunk quadrant mouldings and a shallow arch. Moulded bridging beams on first floor similar to ground floor. Roof of two tiers butt
purlins, canted collars, one arched windbrace to each bay. The internal details as described sound as if a 16th-century date is still possible. See (S2).
Compiled by E. Rose (NAU), 17 June 1994.

Excerpt of current Listing Description:
"Farmhouse. Early 17th century with 19th-century rear outshut addition. Brick with some flint. Pantiled roof. Lobby entrance plan when built. East front of two storeys and dormer attic in five irregular bays...Central five-light windows are 17th century with ovolo-moulded mullions and brick hood moulds. Similar window to upper left of elevation is a replacement within original opening. Small two-light window over 20th-century plank door in second bay from right is 17th century, also with a brick hood. Similar window in second bay from left...Gabled roof with one gabled dormer with a moulded bressummer. North and south gable heads with parapets on kneelers. Ridge stack left of centre with moulded rectangular plinth and triple flues. Subsidiary internal gable-end stack to north, rebuilt 1989...Detailing of 19th-century rear two-storey outshut is of 20th century.
INTERIOR. Centre east room with sunk-quadrant moulded bridging beam with bar stops. Joists roll-moulded. Room to south with similar bridging beam and north wall plate. Brick fireplace with two orders of sunk-quadrant mouldings and a shallow segmental arch. Sunk-quadrant bridging beams repeated to first floor. Roof composed of two tiers butt purlins, canted collars and one arched windbrace to each bay. Purlins to south slope are staggered."
Information from (S2).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S2) for the full listing details.
P. Watkins (HES), 19 March 2022.