MEM15281 - Selworthy Farm, Selworthy (Monument)

A farmstead with the original farmhouse dating from the late 16th Century, replaced by one built 1883-4. The farmbuildings are to the west, arranged around a cobbled yard and dating from the 17th to 19th Centuries.

The Conservation Area character appraisal for Selworthy dates some of the farmbuildings to the 17th to 19th Centuries. The yard is cobbled and it is suggested the current layout dates to the early-mid 19th Century. The farm is described as "a significant group of late 19th century farmhouse, with former abandoned farmhouse to the rear dating from the 16th century with jointed crucks. Large stone jambs and quoins in a fireplace suggest an early chimney, possibly one of the first in the area. The existing house, built 1883-4, rendered with a roof of Bridgwater pantiles, is fairly plain with large casement windows. More significant is the group of farm buildings, forming a rectangular plan around a cobbled yard. The thatched barn, including a south-facing lean-to frontage with round section stone pillars probably dates from the 18th century. The east range, a former cowshed and stable is early 19th century, with the remainder dating from the late 19th century." It is noted to be one of the most complete groups of buildings in the Conservation Area. Virtually all buildings were said to be exceptionally well cared for and maintained, even though a few have become redundant of their original use. [1] Some of the farmbuildings can be seen on the tithe map for Luccombe, notably the original farmhouse (SS 91682 46716) and a range of farmbuildings (SS 91668 46696). [2] The farm appears to have been altered to its present form by the time the 1st and 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey maps had been drawn. [3,4] The farmstead is discussed in the 2017 Conservation Area Appraisal for Selworthy. [5] Historic England received an application to assess Selworthy Farmstead for listing and the group was assessed in June 2021. The original 16th Century house, the courtyard farm buildings and a cow house, calf house and walled yard to the southwest of the farmhouse were added to the National Heritage List for England; however, Selworthy Farmhouse (late 19th Century), a pigsty to the northwest of farmhouse and a wagonshed to the south of the farmhouse were not added. [6] The heritage asset was assessed for inclusion on the Exmoor Local Heritage List in November 2022. It was decided to add the the late 19th century farmhouse, a pigsty to the northwest of the farmhouse and a wagonshed to the south of the farmhouse to the Local Heritage List. [7] In 2022 a watching brief was undertaken on land near to the farmstead but no archaeological material was uncovered during the works. [8]