MEDIEVAL HALL HOUSE RESTORATION.

Work continues apace on the restoration of Sigford Hall, a 14th Century Through Passage Hall House. The building is being restored using best practice conservation methods - but with a twist. We have gone right back to the Medieval times and are using earth based mortars and earth/straw plasters throughout.

The house sits nestled in the Dartmoor countryside, and looks at first sight just like an old barn - which is exactly what it has been for the last 100 years.

But a closer look reveals Medieval stonework, and a pattern of openings typical of a domestic building.

The rear wall was completely rebuilt, without features, when the building was converted to a barn in 1928. Getting permission to reinstate openings has become a major challenge with the National Park Authority.

Inside, the building is remarkable, it has been practically untouched since it fell out of use in the 1870's. There has been some decay, but most features can be preserved with care.

The fireplace and flagstone floor are possibly 15th century. Before its introduction, the fire would have been an open hearth in the middle of the floor. The first floor is relatively modern, having been inserted into an open hall around 1680.

There are many interesting oak features such as this plank and muntin screen (also known as post and panel), which is C13th-C14th. If you look closely you can see the little burn marks on the back where taper lights were tacked. Some believe that the screen was deliberately burned to ward off evil spirits.

A significant number of walls are of very early Devon Cob. The mixture is without straw, and contains a lot of shillet. It was probably dug from the bed of an adjacent stream, where we are sourcing material for its repair.

The fireplace is a later addition and cuts through a remarkable feature which is still being analysed.

Evidence of the 600 year old smoke is still present on the principal roof timbers - sadly the thatch has all gone.

A medieval window survives in a good state of preservation havng been blocked-up for many years.

The first bucket of clay-straw plaster. This will cover all walls protecting the early plasters from damage and providing a small level of thermal insulation. We like clay, it is much gentler than lime.

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