| Description | The Hill (formerly Fern Hill), Warley. 18th or early 19th century farmhouse and barn.
WYAAS archives hold copies of architect's plan and elevation drawings of the barn at The Hill which are dated 26/04/2001 (Andrew C. Jones. Architectural Design Services. 2001). These are probably associated with Calderdale Council planning reference number 01/00472/CON (Change of use from barn to offices (use class B1)).
The plans contain a mix of features as existing and as proposed but the original form of the barn can be ascertained. They depict a three storey (including loft), three bay barn which is probably built of stone with quoined angles. The roof is gabled with copings and square gutter brackets. A singe storey extension projects from the eastern end of the north elevation. This may be a later addition.
The principal elevation of the barn appears to face south. The central bay probably held a cart entrance. This bay has a pediment dormer which holds a circular window lighting the loft area with a half circular window at first floor level. The bays to either side, at ground floor level, hold pedestrian entrances adjacent to both gable walls. These may have originally entered a mistal area. There are two circular windows at first floor level in these bays. The rounded windows of this bay have radial glazing bars.
The northern elevation, where not covered by the extension, has an arched pedestrian entrance in the central bay with Venetian window above and a pedestrian entrance in the western bay which is situated against the gable wall. At first floor level in this bay is an arched window. It is unclear if this arrangement of openings on this elevation is original. Opposing cart entrance and pedestrian entrances could be anticipated in barns of this type.
Both gable walls have Venetian widows a second floor (loft) level. The eastern gable has a single storey outshut which blocks features. The western gable has three single light windows at first floor level and a garage door style entrance on the ground floor which a probably new/recent features.
The main house, as depicted on internet map resources, is of three bays probably with a central hall entry and is of two storeys (Bing Maps. 2014). It is double pile in plan and has a gabled roof. The two chimneys are internal central gable stacks. The southern elevation which overlooks the garden has an almost symmetrical arrangement of openings, the symmetry only broken by a ground floor bay window to the right.
Both house and barn appear to be of a similar date, which is the late 18th to early 19th century, the barn possibly being slightly later. Mapping from 1850 depict buildings in the same position as those currently present. There does appear to be some loss of the original footprint of the house and an increase in the size of the barn however (OS 1st edition 6' map. 1850. Sheet 230). By the late 19th century, the building footprints more closely matches those of the present day (OS 2nd edition 6' map. c.1894. Sheet 230). The gardens were much extensive at this time, occupying additional land to the east of the house. The scrub in this area may contain the remains of glass houses.
(Lunn, K.R. (WYAAS). 2014. Description of The Hill based on architect's plans, internet resources and historic mapping. Description found in digital record only and not on file at WYAAS). |