Farmstead record WKM 022 - Farmstead: Valley Farm

Valley Farm is a farmstead visible on the 1st Ed Os map. The farmstead is laid out in a regular E-plan with additional detached elements. The farmhosue is detached and set away from the yard. The farmstead sits alongisde a public road in an isolated location. This farmstead survives intact with additional sheds to the side.

Substantial Grade II farmhouse with late Georgian Façade made of red-brick. It contains an ostentatious timber-framed structure of early 16th C, with evidence of window tracery and possesses a rare 15th C bakehouse to the rear. The structure's principle chimney contains 3 octagonal shafts and bears the date 1623.

The farm buildings date between the 18th and 19th C and the group is an exceptionally well preserved example of its type containing an unusual variety of buildings.

Barn: 6 bays with original lean-to and twin south-facing threshing floors. It also contains a stable and hayloft.

Other buildings include a purpose built granary on brick piers, an 8 bay shelter shed, a cart lodge and numerous cattle sheds, including an unusual open sided shelter which may have acted as a milking shelter.

The historic importance of this complex lies, not only in any one structure, but in the extent to which they collectively illustrate the sophisticated nature of East Anglian farm yards (S1).

Archaeological monitoring of groundworks associated with the conversion of the farm complex (2008) detected a post medieval floor in the former cow shed as well as brick and tile framgments, likely to relate to an earlier phase in its life (S3).

Recorded as part of the Farmsteads in the Suffolk Countryside Project. This is a purely desk-based study and no site visits were undertaken. These records are not intended to be a definitive assessment of these buildings. Dating reflects their presence at a point in time on historic maps and there is potential for earlier origins to buildings and farmsteads. This project highlights a potential need for a more in depth field study of farmstead to gather more specific age data.