| Abstract: |
The photographic recording of this almost-entirely redundant farmstead was undertaken to accompany a drawn survey and written description in December 2020, using digital photography. All elevations were photographed as far as possible face-on and from a consistent height and perspective. Where possible, all record photographs included a scaled ranging pole. Where it was not possible to capture an entire elevation in a single photograph because of the constricted nature of the site, a series of partial elevations were recorded along with an oblique overall view of the full elevation. Subsequently, the visual record of the farmstead, which is in poor condition, was further enhanced by means of a digital laser scan of the North Range frontage carried out in March, 2022. In addition, an attempt was made to research the history of the building through locally available historic maps and records which could shed light on the history of the buildings, although little of significance was located other than historic Ordnance Survey plans. The extensive complex of buildings known as Castle Farm probably has its origins in the early 19th century and displays indications of several phases of addition and alteration within a relatively short time period, although precise dating of the phases is impossible due to the dilapidated state of the structures and absence of closely dateable historic maps and other information. There is not enough evidence to allow a coherent structural history to be reconstructed, but early-19th century planned elements include the North and north part of the West Ranges, while remains of earlier buildings may also be present, particularly in the North Range. The buildings are mostly built of roughly-coursed Magnesian Limestone rubble, with some use of brick. No traditional roofing materials survive, corrugated asbestos and iron having been used in makeshift 20th century re-roofing and repair. The southern and central parts of the West Range have pitched roofs, as does the Barn in the South Range, but all other roofs are low-pitched mono-pitch ones that appear relatively recent. Overall, the buildings provide a good example of a mid-19th century planned farmstead adapted between the mid-19th and mid-20th centuries to suit changing requirements, without presenting any features of especial merit. Evidence for such adaptations is apparent in changes made to the structures at Castle Farm, but the building of new, larger sheds from around 1970 indicates that these changes were not successful, leaving the farm abandoned and susceptible to gradual physical decay, resulting in its current, dilapidated state. Apart from the much-altered but picturesque Main or North Range there is little that can be claimed to be of any architectural or historic interest in the extant above-ground fabric, although the farm is of considerable local interest and sites within an historic quarter of the village, immediately adjacent to the church and castle sites. |
