Shiver my timbers

Part art and part history, these timber-frame houses are some of England’s finest

- Penny Churchill

THE use of timber-framing in house-building dates back to Neolithic times, although, in Britain, relatively few timber-frame houses survive from before the 15th century. Throughout the medieval period, the availability of good-quality timber, such as oak, in densely wooded parts of the country allowed the construction of large, high-status houses, and timber remained the building material of choice until the mid 17th century. This week, we celebrate the arrival onto the market of no fewer than three notable examples of the timber-framer’s art.

For sale through Knight Frank in Henleyon-Thames (01491 844900) and Sara Batting in Reading (0118–950 2341) at a guide price of £5 million, Northbury Farm at Ruscombe, Berkshire, is a fine, Grade II-listed former manor house, set in more than nine acres of beautifully maintained gardens and grounds, a mile from Twyford—the historic village of ‘two fords’ over the River Loddon. The manor of Ruscombe was held by the bishops of Salisbury Cathedral until the Dissolution, when the estate was divided into Ruscombe Northbury and Ruscombe Southbury.

In 1650, Ruscombe Northbury was bought from the trustees handling the sale of Church lands by local landowner William Barker, but reverted to the cathedral at the Restoration.

During the 17th century, the manor was leased to William Strowde, before passing by marriage to the Knight family. The property then passed through various landowning families, among them the Leveson- Gowers, one of whom, Gen John Leveson- Gower, is described in the Enclosure Act of 1829 as lord of the manors of Ruscombe Northbury and Southbury.