West Wycombe

97. WEST WYCOMBE.

(O.S. 6 in. ^(a)xli. S.E. ^(b)xli. N.E. ^(c)xlii. S.W. ^(d)xlvi. N.E. ^(e)xlvii. N.W.)

Pre-historic

^e(1). Desborough Castle (ring-work) and remains of an OUTER WORK, probably a contour fort.

The ring-work is remarkable as a fine and well preserved example of its class.

The defences of the ring-work enclose an area of 1 acre and consist of a single rampart and ditch with a break in the middle of the S.E. side. Roofing tiles are abundant at the S.E. angle of the area. The rampart on the S. is 16 ft. high and 63 ft. wide, and the ditch 12 ft. deep and 57 ft. wide. On the N. and W. faint traces remain of the outer work, which appears to have been almost concentric and is probably of a period earlier than that of the ring-work.

Condition—Good.

^a(2). Contour Camp on Church Hill occupies a spur, connected with the range on the N. of church by a fairly level saddle, and stands about 500 ft. above O.D.

The remains are of especial interest in view of the treatment of the site.

The defences, which enclose an area of 2¾ acres, consist of a ditch with a rampart and outer bank. The ditch is 5½ ft. deep and 49½ ft. wide, and the inner and outer ramparts on the N.E. are respectively 11½ ft. and 6½ ft. high. The original entrance probably coincided with the N.W. gate of the churchyard.

Condition—Imperfect; a great part of the S.E. side was destroyed in the 18th century when the mausoleum of the Dashwood family was built.

Ecclesiastical

^a(3). Church of St. Lawrence, formerly the parish church, now used only in the summer, stands on a hill N.W. of the village. The walls of the chancel are of flint, with angle-buttresses and window-jambs of modern brick; the tower is of flint and clunch in a rough chequer pattern internally, but covered externally with cement. The roofs are tiled. The walls of the Chancel are possibly of the 13th century; the West Tower is of the 14th century. In 1763 the Nave was re-built, the chancel re-modelled, and the top stage added to the tower.

Architectural Description — The Chancel is of unusual length (about 46 ft. by 18 ft.); all the details are of the 18th century, except the outline of a 15th-century E. window, with a pointed, moulded label, and part of a small circular light above it, which are visible outside; also, in the S. wall, remains of the moulded jambs of a doorway, possibly of the 13th century. The West Tower (14 ft. by 12 ft.) has no external divisions in the original building; the buttresses at the W. angles are diagonal. Part of the original tower arch is visible in the ringing-chamber, and is of clunch, of two chamfered orders. The W. doorway and window are of the 18th century. The S. and W. walls of the ringing-chamber have each a small elliptical window, of which the internal jambs are of the 14th century, and near the top of the N., S., and W. walls are plain two-centred openings, from which the tracery has been cut; remains of the cusping are visible inside.

Fittings—Bells: six, 2nd by Henry Knight, 1621, 3rd by Joseph Carter, 1581, 4th by Henry Knight, 1620. Brasses (see also Floor-slabs): In floor of tower—to John Syot, vicar, inscription only, in black-letter, no date. Monuments and Floor-slabs. Monument: In chancel—on S. wall, to Hugh Darrell, 1667, Elizabeth, his wife, 1655, and their grandson, Robert DarrellLoggan (no date), marble, with Corinthian pilasters, inscription and arms. Floor-slab: In tower—to Richard East, and Emma, his wife, incised black-letter inscription, said to be of 1583, but date worn away, small brass plate of later date, with arms, a cheveron between three horses' heads razed, two plain strips of brass, and indents of two others.

Condition—Good.

Secular

See (1) above.

The village contains many buildings probably of the 17th century, but much altered and restored; those of most interest are noted below:—

High Street, N. side

^a(4). The Church Loft is a late 15th-century house of two storeys, built of timber with brick filling, which has been partly renewed at various dates; the filling between the timbers of the first floor was probably originally of lath and plaster. The roof is tiled. At the N. end is a small weather-boarded bell-turret, probably of the 17th or 18th century.

The building is a good example of this type of mediæval structure.

The plan is rectangular, with an open passage at the W. end, and a staircase, of later date than the rest of the house, beyond it. There are four rooms on the ground floor, and one large room on the first floor. Some of the partition walls are of wattle and daub. Both in front and at the back the upper storey projects and is supported on large moulded beams; one of the main posts in front has a cross incised on it, and at the foot of the post is a large block of stone. Two original doorways in the front wall, and two at the back are blocked, but retain four-centred heads of wood, with chamfered edges and sunk spandrels; the jambs have disappeared. All the windows are modern, but some of the glass is old. The large room on the first floor has a fine open timber roof of four trusses with queen-posts, massive tie-beams, struts, brackets, etc.; a board at the E. end has the date 1676 and some initials on it, probably referring to repairs done at that time; a small chamber at the E. end has moulded beams in the walls, and a moulded angle-post. In the large room are two 17th-century oak tables with turned legs.

Condition—Poor; all the walls need repair, within and without; the angle-post at the N.W. corner of the ground floor leans out at the bottom and lacks proper foundation.

^a(5). Cottages, four, in one range, at the W. end of the 'Church Loft', were built probably in the 17th century. They are of two storeys, with an attic over the westernmost cottage; the lower storey of each cottage is of brick, the upper storey of timber with brick filling. The roofs are tiled.

Condition—Fairly good.

^a(6). House, at the E. end of the 'Church Loft', is of two storeys and an attic, built probably in the 16th century, but now much restored. In front the lower storey is of modern brick, the upper storey projects considerably and is covered with plaster. The roof is tiled.

Condition—Good.

^a(7). House, now two shops, nearly opposite the Post Office, is of late 16th or early 17th-century date; the lower storey is of brick, the overhanging upper storey of brick and timber; the principal projecting joists are supported on small brackets; the roof is tiled. At the W. end of the house is a gable of brick and timber. The square central chimney is of late 17th or early 18th-century date, and has sunk panels in each side.

Condition—Good, much restored.

S. side

^a(8). House, probably originally an inn, now four tenements, at the E. end of the village, is of two storeys, with an attic over the W. end. It was built of brick and timber late in the 16th or early in the 17th century, but has been much repaired and altered, and modern additions have been built at the back. The roofs are tiled. In front, part of the upper storey and one of the gables retain timber-framing, with brick filling, some set in herringbone pattern, but the rest of the wall is modern. Part of the S. wall and the end of a projecting wing at the back are timber-framed, with original brick filling; the W. wall is of thin bricks, with a projecting chimney stack which has two attached square shafts. Some of the other chimney stacks are also original.

Condition—Fairly good.

^a(9). House, opposite the 'Church Loft,' and The Black Boy Inn, were built in the 17th century, but have been much restored. The house is of two storeys and an attic; part of the front is gabled and of original brick and timber. The inn is of two storeys; the walls are partly timber-framed, partly of modern brick. In front the upper storey projects, and a large central gateway opens into the yard at the back. One chimney stack is of 17th-century brick. An outbuilding adjoining the S.W. end of the inn also has an overhanging upper storey, now weather-boarded. The roofs are tiled.

Condition—Good, much restored.

^a(10). House, now two cottages, next to the Post Office, is of two storeys, built of brick and timber late in the 16th or early in the 17th century; the roof is tiled. The projecting upper storey has the principal joists supported on small brackets; the square chimney is of thin bricks.

Condition—Good, much restored.

^a(11). House, at the back of the Post Office, facing W., is probably of the 17th century, but much altered; it is of two storeys, built of brick and timber. One original chimney stack has square shafts, partly restored.

Condition—Good, much restored.

^a(12). Myze Farm, on the S. side of the main road, nearly ¾ mile W.S.W. of the village, is of two storeys, built probably in the second half of the 17th century; the walls are of flint, with brick dressings and string-course; the N. and S. gables are of brick and timber. The roofs are tiled. The plan was originally T-shaped, the cross wing facing W.; the N.E. angle is now filled by a modern addition; the central chimney stack has square shafts, built of thin bricks. One room has a wide fireplace, partly filled in.

Condition—Good.

^a(13). Ham Farm, on the N. side of the main road, about 1½ miles W. of the village, is of two storeys, built of brick and timber, probably in the first half of the 17th century, but much restored and altered. The roofs are tiled. The plan is L-shaped, and the front of the main wing is entirely modern; part of the back is original. The walls of the small wing retain some of the original timber-framing and brick filling. The central chimney stack has square shafts built of thin bricks, restored at the top.

Condition—Good, much altered and repaired.

Wheeler End Common

^d(14). Laurel Cottage, on the W. side of the road crossing the common, is of two storeys, built probably early in the 17th century, and timber-framed; one old post is visible at the N. end of the W. wall, the rest is encased in modern flint and brick. The roof is tiled. The plan is rectangular, with a modern rectangular block built on to it at the N. end of the E. wall. At the S. end is a chimney stack of thin bricks. In one room is a wide fireplace, partly filled in, and above the fireplace is some ornamental 17th-century plaster work, partly heraldic, including the crest of the Drakes.

Condition—Good.

^c(15). Cottage, on the E. side of the common is of two storeys, the upper storey partly in the roof; it was built of brick and timber probably in the 17th century, but has been refronted with modern brick; the roof is tiled. The central chimney stack is of thin bricks. Interior:—Two rooms have old ceiling-beams and original open fireplaces, one partly blocked.

Condition—Fairly good.

^a(16). The Nap, a cottage on the E. side of the common, is of two storeys, built probably early in the 17th century, and timber-framed; the brick filling in the upper storey is original, that in the lower storey has been renewed. The roof is tiled. At the S. end is an original chimney stack. The wide fireplace is partly blocked, and the chimney-corner remains as a cupboard. Original ceiling-beams also remain.

Condition—Poor.

^c(17). The Old Workhouse, at the back of the Post Office, on the E. side of the common, is of two storeys. The eastern half of the house was built in the 17th century, and is timber-framed; the brick filling in the upper storey is original, that of the lower storey is of various dates; some of the timbers are covered with cement. The N. and S. ends are gabled. The central chimney stack is of thin bricks. The front or western half of the building is modern. The roof is tiled.

Condition—Fairly good.

^d(18). Huckenden Farm, on the W. side of the common, is of two storeys, built of brick and timber late in the 16th century, and refronted with modern flint and brick. The roof is tiled. The plan is rectangular, with a modern addition. In front, at the W. end, are two gables. At the back one window has an original wood frame; the door is original, of oak, painted. The central chimney stack is of long, thin bricks, and has shafts set diagonally. Interior:—There are two original fireplaces, one partly filled in, and an old oven. The staircase, the ceiling-beams, and one battened door are original. A large barn S.W. of the house is built partly of old timbers.

Condition—Fairly good.

Lane End

^d(19). Cottage, at the N. end of the hamlet, is of two storeys, built of brick and timber in the 16th century; the roof is tiled. In front and at the back the upper storey is timber-framed, with filling of thin bricks, and probably originally projected, but has been under-built with modern brick. At the S. end is a projecting chimney stack built of thin bricks, with a square shaft restored at the top.

Condition—Fairly good.

^d(20). Cottage, now disused, at the N. end of the hamlet, is of two storeys, built late in the 16th or early in the 17th century, of brick and timber, and some flint with brick dressings, partly restored with modern brick. The roof is tiled. At the E. end is a projecting chimney stack with a square shaft of original bricks. On the ground floor is an open fireplace.

Condition—Neglected and ruinous.

^d(21). Bottom Farm, house and barn, nearly 1½ miles S.E. of the church. The House is of two storeys, built in the first half of the 17th century, almost entirely of flint with brick dressings; one gable and part of the wall at the back are of brick and timber. The roofs are tiled. The plan is rectangular, facing N., with a slightly projecting wing at the W. end of the front. The projecting chimney stack at the W. end of the house, and the large square chimney stack on the E. side of the kitchen are of thin bricks, restored at the top. The kitchen retains the original wide, open fireplace, with chimney-corner seats; in the ceiling is a large chamfered beam with moulded stops; next to the kitchen is an unusually large oven. Other rooms on both floors show the constructional timbers.

The Barn, S.W. of the house, is probably contemporary with it, and is timber-framed, partly weather-boarded, and partly filled with original bricks. Many of the timbers in the roof show signs of having been used elsewhere.

Condition—Fairly good.

^c(22). Mill End Farm, house and barn, at Mill End, 4 miles E.S.E. of the church. The House is of two storeys, built late in the 17th century, of brick, now partly covered with rough-cast. The roofs are tiled. The plan is rectangular, facing S., with a small wing on the N. and another at the W. end. The S. front is of late 17th-century brick, with a projecting string-course between the storeys; all the other walls are covered with rough-cast. One window in the N. wing has an original casement with an ornamental handle. Three chimney stacks have square shafts of original brick.

The Barn S. of the house is probably contemporary with it, and is built of timber and weather-boarded, on a base of thin bricks and some flint. The roof is thatched, and restored with tiles.

Condition—Good.

^c(23). Cottage, on the N.E. side of Plomer's Green, nearly 1½ miles E. by S.E. of the church, is of two storeys, built of brick at the end of the 17th century; the roofs are tiled. The plan is L-shaped, facing S., with a small one-storeyed wing on the N.E., used as an outhouse. The entrance lobby and staircase are in the middle, with one room on each side; the E. and W. ends are gabled and have square projecting chimney stacks. The windows are of two and three lights, with plain square wood mullions, iron casements and leaded glass.

Condition—Good.

^c(24). Cottages, several, in the hamlet of Downley, 1¼ miles E. of the church, are all of two storeys, built in the second half of the 17th century. Some are of flint, with brick quoins and dressings, others of brick, and a few have patterns of black bricks. The roofs are tiled.

Condition—Good.

Downley Common, W. side

^c(25). Cottages, 1¼ miles E. by N.E. of the church, probably originally two, now four tenements, in one range, are of two storeys, gabled at each end. The walls are of flint, with brick quoins and dressings. The roofs are tiled. The E. half of the range was built early in the 17th century, the W. half later in the same century. The chimney stacks are square, with oversailing courses of brick and tiles.

Condition—Good.

^c(26). Cottage, of two storeys and an attic, built at the end of the 17th century, of brick, in Flemish bond, with diaper pattern of black bricks. The roof is tiled; on the N. side it slopes to the level of the ground floor ceiling, except in the middle, over the staircase leading to the attic. At the E. and W. ends of the house are gables of an irregular shape, caused by the depth of the roof on the N. side.

Condition—Good.

^a(27). Chorley Farm, about ¾ of a mile N.W. of the church, is of two storeys, built of timber and brick on a flint base in the first half of the 17th century; one wall has been re-faced with modern brick and flint. The roofs are tiled. The plan is of half-H shape. The large central chimney stack, with square shafts, is original. Interior:—Some of the ceilings have old beams, and some of the floor boards are of original oak. The living-room has a wide, open fireplace, with chamfered jambs and four-centred head, now plastered and painted; the room above it has a similar, but smaller fireplace.

Condition—Good.

^a(28). Cottages, three, in one range, known as Chawley Green Farm, nearly 1 mile N.W. of the church, are of the 17th century, and have a modern addition at each end; the original building is timber-framed, with brick filling in front and wattle and daub at the back. The roofs are tiled. The central chimney stack is of original brick. Inside the house are two wide fireplaces, and some of the ceilings have old beams.

Condition—Fairly good.

Unclassified

^b(29). Earthwork, remains, on Naphill Common, about 300 yards E. of Bradenham Hill Farm, situated on level ground just below the 600 ft. contour line. The defences consist of a ditch with some remains of a slight rampart and outer bank. The work is about 160 yards long by 90 yards wide, and appears to have been roughly stirrup-shaped. The ditch is 21 ft. wide and about 2 ft. deep.

Condition—Very imperfect; the N. side is completely obliterated and the ditch thickly overgrown.

^a(30). Mound, possibly a tumulus or boundary mound, at the W. corner of West Wycombe Park.

Condition—Fairly good.