We are at the letter "F" in the A - Z of Ashdown and today I am blogging about Ashdown Park farmhouse, which is situated in Ashdown village, on the green. There are records that state that the farmhouse originally had a date stone over the
door with the date inscription of 1617. I'm not sure whether the blank stone that is there now is new or whether the inscription was destroyed. Either way it is a pity that the original carving no longer remains.
I used to assume that date stones such
as these marked the year of building but apparently that is not always the
case. At Ashbury Upper Mill, for example, there is a date stone in the wall
from 1792, which was not the year of build but marked the year when the
building underwent major restoration. If the same is true of Ashdown Park
farmhouse this makes sense of the suggestion that the building has an earlier,
medieval core. The Ashbury estate came into the Craven family in 1625 so the
renovation of the farm earlier in the century took place when the estate still
belonged to the Essex family.
A lot of additional work was done to the farmhouse in the 18th
century when it was extended. Many of the features, including the windows, are
late 18th century. I think it's a beautiful building in a lovely position on the village green.
3 comments:
I looked at the farmhouse and the other buildings just last Sunday when I rode through in bright sunshine. What a lovely group makes up the village. Can you suggest to those who manage the estate that an information panel be put up that gives some details about the village to those who apss through?
I'm looking forward to hearing more about the labourers' cottages and the stables as you progress through the alphabet.
Thank you! Yes, I do think Ashdown village is very picturesque. I will certainly pass on your suggestion about an information panel as there is a lot of fascinating history in the village that it would be fun to share. The stables and the laundry cottages are particularly interesting.
This would be super addition to the area! I walk there and love the stables and the old houses. It's my dream village. It's so peacful that you can imagine you are in another century. Must be fabulous to ride there.
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