Description

TL 11 SW HARPENDEN CRABTREE LANE
(south side)
HARPENDEN

5/41 No 28
(Topstreet Farmhouse)
9.5.78

II

Farmhouse, now house. C16 timber frame. Englarged at rear in
C18 to form a double-pile house. Altered in late C19, when the
elevations were stuccoed. Plain tile roofs. 2 storeys.
Entrance elevation has the former cross wing on the left with
exposed framing. Pargetting to panels. Central 2-storey
Victorian canted bay with leaded casements, possibly a copy of
the original. To either side on ground and 1st floors are small
2-light mullioned casements, those of upper floor with original
oak frames. Angular jowles to the corner posts. Door on right
has mid-C18 bracketed hood with heavy scroll brackets. Right of
door is a 3-light segmental-headed casement, and this part was
formerly the hall. To right of the cross wing is a massive ridge
chimney stack; C16 below, but with C17 multiple joined shafts
and narrow brick bands at the top; built up in late C19.
Documentary evidence (Herts Genealogy, p 304) suggests that
William Hunt was the owner in 1558. This may be when the cross
wing and chimney stack were added to the apparently already
existing hall range.

Listing NGR: TL1407113808

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26467655

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)