Building record 2079/1 - Ball Farmhouse, Hankelow Lane

<1> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Report). SCH1934.

Farmhouse. C16 or early C17 with C19 additions and alterations. Timber-framed with rendered infill largely replaced on exterior by red brick. Two-storey and attic, four-bay front. Massive ridge chimney. Another massive chimney on righthand side, which retains close studding with middle rail. Rear has timber framed gable and some small framing. Interior has ovolo-moulded beam and inglenook with moulded bressumer. Massive newels and handrail of original stair. Some linenfold and other panelling and plaster decoration to ceilings.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ64NE5, 1978 (Index). SCH2487.

Field recorder comments, dated 26/09/1978:- 'Ball Farm' is a small 17th century farmhouse in good condition. Only a small portion of original timber-framing is now visible. The north-east side, has two windows in it, and adjoins a massive brick chimney. The gable projection on the south-east front has been recently rebuilt. The interior exhibits many of the original beams and some panelling.

<3> Historic England, 2011, The National Heritage List for England, 1138537 (Web Site). SCH6528.

HANKELOW C.P. HANKELOW LANE SJ 64 NE 4/48 Ball Farmhouse 12-1-67 GV II* Farmhouse. C16 or early C17, with early/mid Cl-9 additions and alterations. Timber framed with rendered infill. Largely replaced to the exterior in the early/mid C19 with Red Flemish bond brick and a plain tile roof. Two storeys and attic. Entrance front: 4 bays, gabled projecting wing to the right hand side with a three-light cambered headed window to both the ground and first floors with tile sills. Band of two bricks depth dividing the first floor from the attic which has a 2-light casement attic window. To the left of this are three recessed bays, the central one of which has a projecting 2-storey gabled porch superimposed upon a fragment of the original timber framed walling which shows as two posts to the upper wall behind. Door within the porch of 6 panels, the upper 4 raised and fielded. 2-light casement window to the first floor. To the right hand side is a ground floor window of two lights with cambered head and tile sill and to the left is a similar window of 3 lights. To the first floor at either side are two-light casement windows. Massive ridge chimney stack of 4 flues above the entrance. The right hand side has a massive chimney stack of 4 flues with offsets and to the right of this is a section of timber framing to the first floor with close studding and a middle rail and a further cross rail above this. There is a casement window with ovolo-moulded wooden surround of 5 lights with mullions and a transom which appears in part to be of C16 or early C17 date. The rear has at left a timber framed gable mostly obscured by a later C19 gabled projection of lesser height. The right hand flank of this wing has small framed walling with an angle brace. To the right of this is simulated timber framing and at right of this is close studded framing with a middle rail to the first floor, the ground floor being obscured by C19 and C20 outshuts. Interior: Ovolo moulded ceiling beams with end stops and rafters. Ingle nook fireplace with moulded bressumer. Arch with central pendant boss. Staircase with spiral balusters in place of original splat balusters and massive square newels with ball finials. Linenfold and other panelling. One first floor room has foliate ornament to the plaster ceiling.

<4> Aeon Archaeology, 2021, Woolfall Manor, Longhill Lane, Hankelow, Cheshire, CW3 0JQ: Level 2 Historic Building Record, R4719, p.3 (Client Report). SCH9486.

Ball Farm, was built in 1510 and occupied by Richard Hassall; he was made a Sergeant-in-Law in 1511, and Justice of Chester in 1540. It is probable that the Ball Farm was used as a Court of Justice for the district. There are two large balls on the front gate-posts, and these were a symbol of authority.