Listed Building: ALDRIDGE'S FARMHOUSE (280166)

LAXFIELD FRESSINGFIELD ROAD TM 27 SE 4/46 Aldridge's Farmhouse GV II* Farmhouse. First half of C14 with C16-C17, C19 and C20 alterations. Timber framed with a plastered front, the remainder roughcast-rendered or red brick. Roof of glazed black pantiles. 2 storeys. A former open hall house of raised-aisle form with storied solar and service ends. 4 windows, mid C20 large-paned casements; 3 canted ground floor bays. C20 gabled porch and half- glazed door. The raised-aisle structure is mostly intact: octagonal queen- posts, originally with moulded capitals, arched braced to tie beam and arcade plates. Evidence for side ties from each queen-post to the top plate. The tie beam carries an octagonal crown post with boldly roll-moulded capital and base and a splayed head and foot; it is arch-braced to the heavy collar purlin, much of which survives; evidence of bracing to collar. There is an additional tie beam each side of the open truss and 2 tie beams over the cross-passage. The lower parts of a few rafters also survive. The remainder of the roof was lost when the house was raised, probably in C19; the present roof is of mid C20 date. Some of the original wall structure is exposed mainly in the hall. Widely-spaced studs; top rail with a stop-splayed scarf joint lm long. Parts of both end walls of the hall are visible, including the original plastered gable at the lower end, all with heavy plain studding. Evidence for an original hall window and cross-passage doorways. In C16 a stack was inserted into the upper end of the hall. C16 inserted ceiling with an additional bridging beam at right angles to the original (which was arch- braced) and chamfered joists. C17 parlour ceiling. Some good panelling of c.1600 in the cross-passage, said to have been brought from elsewhere. This is the oldest house in the parish. Remains of medieval moat. Listing NGR: TM2777474065