Building record BSD 015 - The Bakehouse, 38a Blacksmiths corner, Belstead

2009 Historic Building Recording: The bakehouse is a historically important brick building of the 17th C. It is currently listed under the curtilage of 38a Blacksmith's corner, but merits listing in its own right.
The structure retains a clasped-purlin roof with wind-braces of c. 1640, apparently contemporary with parlour of adjacent building, added to a 15th C open Hall. The Bakehouse therefore offers an insight into the nature of this listed building's mid 17th C refurbishment. The bakehouse was initially timber framed, but the walls were largely re-built in brick during the 18th C, though leaving an original ceiling and external stair in-tact. There were no fewer than 4 external doors in the 17th C, however all but one of these were blocked in the late 19th C. The present copper and bread oven are 19th C additions and the earlier chimney re-uses a 'finely carved timber bressumer of the early 16th century.'
Substantial detached bakehouses were once common in Suffolk, but are now becoming increasingly rare. The Bakehouse's historical importance in enhanced by its relationship with the grade II listed Blacksmith's shop of strikingly similar appearance 10m to the north (S1).