Page 21 - Ickford NP Sustainability Heritage Assessment

BUILT HERITAGE ASSESSMENT : ICKFORD : VISION FOR ICKFORD 21

Unusually Ickford has a number of stone built
vernacular dwellings. Rubblestone is utilised as building
plinths, for timber frame infilling, and also commonly
for solid wall construction. Over half of the historic
buildings in the village are constructed at least in part
of rubblestone. In some cases only a wing remains, or a
gable wall, as houses were updated with the more
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fashionable brick in the 18 century. Some buildings,
such as Manor Farm and Jasmine Cottage remain
unpainted, and the coursing can clearly be seen. The
majority of stone has been colourwashed in pale whites
and cream, or roughcast to provide a smoother finish.
Where colourwashed rubblestone remains, the texture
of the walls exhibits a visually pleasing irregularity.
The Grange is an imposing stone building,
constructed of ashlar. Ashlar is also used for the roadside
frontage of The Royal Oak and the contrast between
the smooth lines of the façade and the mixed brick and
rubblestone of the gable is visually pleasing.

Witchert:
No 64 is unique in the village in that it is constructed of
witchert, a mud block building material. It is common in
places such as Haddenham.

Timberframing:

Most of the historic buildings in Ickford have timber
frames. Some of these date back to medieval times, and
there are at least 3 remnant cruck frames in the village.
Crucks are long curved timbers framed together in
pairs, which rise from ground level to support the roof
purlins. They are a rare and early form of timber framing.
More commonly in Ickford the framing pattern is square
panel, although buildings such as the New Manor House
have braces, and the Old Rectory exhibits close studding.
Infill panels, originally wattle and daub, have mostly
been replaced either with rubblestone or brick. Brick
was a high status material during the 18 century, and
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more ‘polite’ architectural designs could be achieved Brick
with its use, which is why many of the larger historic
houses have been refronted or had alterations in brick. Brick is the most common building material in the village,
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A fine example is Apple Acre in Little Ickford, where as most of the buildings date from the 20 century. Where
the ground floor has been built out in brick to join the older brick is seen, it is mellow red and browns of the
over sailing upper floors. traditional Buckinghamshire brick. It is possible that brick
Decorative brick patterning can be seen on the infill pits remain outside the village, often now ponds. Ickford
panels of Herringbone Cottage. Generally panels have been House is a good example of an earlier building being refaced
painted or plastered over. with brick. Brick is used as a decorative detailing on some
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of the 19 century buildings, with chequerwork seen on

VISION FOR ICKFORD – NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN
www.visionforickford.co.uk