Crawley Old Town: SEVEN PICTURES: Rowleys Farmhouse

Late 16th Century timber framed early smoke bay house with cross passage behind the smoke bay altered and extended in 20th Century. Before the alterations the house consisted of a main range lying north and south and a wing towards the north end of the west side projecting westward, both of 2 storeys with attics. Five bays. Ground floor post and pan timber framing with brick infill. First floor tile hung. Tiled roof. Wide chimneybreast surmounted by a pair of brick stacks of square section of circa 1700. The centre ground floor room as an 16th Century open fireplace and low chamfered joists. The framing with the mortices to the smoke bay remains. Moulded dais beam as in the back of an open hall and panelling and a spere to keep out the draughts. Jowels to main upright posts. The front service room was converted into an elegant oine panelled parlour with a corner niche in the late 17th Century. First floor bedroom, at north end now open to the roof. IN the north gable are remains of an atiice window with wooden mullions. Back detached kitchen of 2 bays with smoke blackened ratfters. The house was owned by the Culpeper family.