Grange Farm, Coven, Staffordshire

In January 2007 AOC Archaeology Group was commissioned by Pharaoh Designs to carry out an archaeological survey of Grange Farm, Coven. This survey was undertaken to record and assess the extent of the survival of historic fabric in advance of an application for Listed Building Consent.

The farm is a half timbered jettied building, which, although clearly 16th century in origin, had been altered in the succeeding centuries. Late 19th and 20th century alterations had been particularly unkind to the building and the timber frame had been almost entirely covered by a cement render. Over this render a false timber frame had been painted on.

The investigation established that the half-timbered south wing survived in a remarkable state of preservation although it had been largely covered by the cement render and later brickwork. The house proved to be a fine example of decorative late 16th century framing which included close studded work and chevron panels. The north wing was more fragmentary but retained elements of its roof and floor. There is a suggestion that the north wing was somewhat older than the south and may have (in part at least) contained an open hall.

The house had undergone numerous later phases of alteration and addition most notably in the 19th century when much of the north wing was replaced in brick. Alterations of 1937-39 saw the partial demolition of the north stack and major work in this area as well as the moving of the main door and alterations to fenestration. Minor refitting and alteration continued throughout the post war period.

The AOC Archaeology Group investigation allowed the architects at Pharaoh Designs to understand the extent and quality of the surviving timber frame and incorporate this into the restoration. What had at first appeared to be a rather mutilated farmhouse has now been restored and is once again an exceptional Tudor gentry house.

AOC Project Manager: Edmund Simons
AOC Project Officer: Clare Watson
Client: Pharaoh Designs