One of the things I picked up whilst working in a 12th century castle, was a huge appreciation for how a building is constructed. Especially a building like the one where I worked, much of which had been transported to the south coast of Wales from England and France, early in the 1900’s. I especially loved looking at the magnificent ceilings, thinking about how they were put together without the aid of machinery.
So when I saw this small priory in the Guardian, 
and the The Priory, here.
This house also features a lot of Tudor-era woodwork, naturally, original to the house.
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The place is also filled with original stonework, like this beautiful door.
The downside is that the electrical and plumbing work, as well as the kitchen and bathrooms are almost as old as the house and have to be replaced. 
Additionally, there’s no central heat. From personal experience, living in the damp UK winter climate with no central heat is not something that you’d want to attempt. The house is priced at a very reasonable £350,000 and is in Barnstaple, Devon, England. 
How wonderful to live in a place like that! Although, I know, from watching decades of mysteries on PBS and BBC, that within days of moving in, I would either be found dead or be the suspect in a murder. Quaint small English towns are apparently death traps.
ReplyDeleteI love the painted designs between the beams in those two paneled rooms.
Isn't that painting amazing? I'd love to know the story behind it.
DeleteDeath by Devon cream is not the worst way to go.
ReplyDeletePossibly amongst the best, I'd think!
DeleteI love it....but definitely need central heat and bathrooms. Have a super week. Mary
ReplyDeleteThe first house where I lived in Wales didn't have central heat or instant hot water. That was quite problematic at bath-time!
Delete*weeping openly*
ReplyDeleteBut honestly, tell me you wouldn't totally hang a swinging sofa, with huge wrought iron chains, on that beam in front of the fireplace (first photo). Yes, I think you would.
Funny you mention the beams, because i just got this comment via e-mail from a reader:
DeleteEnjoyed this post, especially because I recently read a post by a well-known blogger who announced she would insert fake wood beams to "add history" to her new house. Your pictures show that a house either has history, or must make its own, and that beams which are not part of its structural history make no sense.
Beautiful!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAgree 100%. It's a terrific house and it's an even better price. Less than a half million dollars with the conversion.
DeleteWithout the aid of machinery?? Well that was some trick. no levers wheels and axles, no pulley no inclined planes, or use of a wedge or screw. ( these are simple machines) ( Jethro Tull invented the earth screw for planting- a long time ago) perhaps you were referring to Electricity? Mr. Wizard.
ReplyDeleteBeing a bit pedantic, Mr. Wizard? I'd venture to say that when the general populace is thinking of machinery, they are not thinking of wheels and levers, inclined planes or wedges. I was referring to things like cranes, earth-movers, power saws and perhaps even electricity, which at the point that the buildings were moved to St. Donat's Castle, was not available in this part of South Wales.
DeleteSign me up +I would adore living there! + Only pictures show the amazing features. No central heating + bathrooms create problems. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDelete{see comment above re: bathrooms and no heat} #hygienesuffered
DeleteDoes it have a fireplace in every room? It is located in my favorite part of England. I still read my old Daphne du Maurier books that are so worn but still favorites. Think I will dig one out right now. Thank you for the lovely post.
ReplyDeleteI am assuming that it does have a fireplace in every room - especially since there's no central heating!
DeleteRe: Mr Wizard comment response- The general populace takes too much for granted. However, I suppose they have common sense. Certainly in the 12th century the construction methods involved wheels, a pulley system or two, inclines, wedges, levers etc. Perhaps the gentle reader wanted to call attention to how beautiful things made by hand, which have lasted for centuries, required blood sweat and tears from the serfs, and indentured servants owned by Fudal overlords. Too bad they did not say as much. pendantic, indeed, oh Bother. W.T. Pooh.
ReplyDeleteMeg,
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me so much of Great Dixter. I think we spent over 4 hours there. I love timber framed Tudors.....so old world. I'd fill this with lots of Chesterfields and Robert Kime textiles....after winning the lottery of course :)
Cheers,
Loi
Loi... did you see the images of the castle where I worked? The place is amazing.
DeleteThis is a little video I did of the dining room, which had been brought in from France, and the waterfront which is on the Bristol Channel. The castle was owned by William Randolph Hearst in the early 1900s.
I think I'd just stick a few Aga Cookers in the fireplaces for heat, fix the drains and leave it alone. It's beautiful and I hope no one gets the bright idea of "modernizing" it. Wish I could just pick up and move and save it. Maybe I should play the lottery this week.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea! Those things can throw off some heat. The price isn't too bad, considering...
DeleteIt's a steal, I wonder whether there is a garden/parking space? Note the yellow lines outside. It would be a perfect home/showroom for an antique dealer.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Herts
Herts... no on-site parking. That and the plumbing are the problems.problematics
ReplyDelete