They were walking past the house of the old Patroon, with its squat walls and small square windows compactly grouped about a
central chimney. The shutters stood wide, and through one of the newly-washed windows Archer caught the light of a fire.
Crossing this dusky entry, and on through yon low-arched way --cut through what in old times must have been a great
central chimney with fire-places all round --you enter the public room.
As well as the wig cupboard, the hall houses a salt cupboard in a huge
central chimney breast, has the original coppers in the sitting room, as well as flagstone floors, wood - including elm - floorboards, exposed brickwork and wood beams, boarded doors that date back hundreds of years, and leaded light timber mullion windows.
There are 24 chambers around a
central chimney, each capable of holding 120 tons of limestone, which was burned sequentially with the fuel fed from above.
The formal dining room is divided into two by a
central chimney with mahogany fireplaces either side.
"The first room you arrive at is the fabulous lounge/diner, set around a
central chimney breast," the advert says.
It adds: "The dwelling suffered an arson attack on Monday, December 22, which caused extensive damage to the roof structure extending from the west gable end up to the line of the
central chimney stack.
In addition there is a lovely timber hexagonal BBQ hut with seating area to five sides, with
central chimney and open fire cooking area.
The
central chimney stack also looks more modern than the 1880s heralding a design feature that was copied nationwide in the semi-detached housing boom of the 1930s.
Total fireplace count: 14 Must-see hearth: Built in 1937 by Italian immigrant stonemasons, the
central chimney is 98 feet high, with 6 hearths on 2 levels.
On the top floor there is a large living space, which takes up the whole of this level, which has exposed stonework, beams and a
central chimney breast.