Cofnod Safle

A farmhouse of two builds, the earlier of which (on the left) could be c.1600, while the addition to the right is probably mid 17th century. Interpretation is difficult because the exterior is entirely disguised by pebbledashing and render, and the interior has also been greatly changed. The owner reports a datestone over the door with the date 16?? which was covered by the pebbledashing, which was put on before listing in 1952. The house has been entirely rewindowed in the 1990s which reproduce the previous Victorian timber casements.

The main front of the house is smooth rendered on the ground floor up to the plat band, and pebbledashed above - the rest is pebbledashed. The separate builds are clearly identifiable by the different shaped roofs but the, presumably rubble stone, structure is wholly hidden and gives little away. The main elevation has the doorway in the centre, into the end bay of the primary phase structure, and is a plain, part-glazed, door with an elliptical head. To the left are two 2-light casements, both with elliptical heads. These are repeated to the right. The upper floor has three 2-light casements to the centre. The roof has a much steeper pitch to the left, where there is an end stack, while there is a lower pitch to the right with a brick end stack.
The left gable has a 2-light casement on the upper floor, while the right gable has a 2 over 2 pane sash.
The rear bakehouse wing has a plain door, a brick chimney and a slate roof on the east side and an asbestos slate roof on the rear.

The interior is extremely difficult to interpret. The original part may be a two unit end entry house of c1600 with the blocked entry hidden in the west gable. The present entry is into the stair compartment which contains a straight flight of 19th century stairs with turned balusters. This has been introduced into what would have been the minor room/pantry of the original house, but the partition wall does not appear to contain an oak partition.
The parlour has oak panelling on the fireplace wall which appears to be 18th century, although it has a 1930s tiled fireplace, so some of the panelling dates from then. The overmantel with dentil cornice is also 18th century, as are the flanking doors to the putative entry and firestair. The left hand door has a pierced panel above for a ventilated cupboard. The ceiling has chamfered cross beams with ogee stops.
The kitchen has a plain beamed ceiling and a later fireplace. The roof structures are said to be original; the older part could well have upper crucks, judging by the angle of the roof.
(Source; Cadw listing database)