Day 4. Timber-Framed Houses

Today we shall move on to the village itself, and some of the buildings which are a hallmark of its character.
Houses have been built with timber since time immemorial. Britain was once heavily forested and an inexhaustible and convenient supply of mature trees was ready for the taking. 

England began to flourish in the late 15^th century. The Tudor period marked the start of a strong and stable era and people could now divert time and money into architecture, aiming for grandeur and comfort rather than defence.

This prosperity filtered into remoter rural areas, and by the late 16^th century the wealthier yeoman (freehold) farmers in Preston were building the substantial timber-framed houses which are a hallmark of the village today. The larger number of poorer dwellings or 'cottages' in Preston, built by the labourers or cottagers, would barely last a generation and no evidence of their presence remains.

                       The Gables, a farmhouse built c.1600. It is believed to have been the home of
                       the  Mansell family from this point until 1945.

                       

The larger houses now followed a three-roomed structure – a central hall, a kitchen and a parlour,  with an upper storey. This structure is often still evident despite subsequent alterations. The hall was the hub of the house and used for receiving all but the most important guests.

A third-story garret was often now added, generally used for the resident servants. The inhabitants had to negotiate the roof timbers which criss-crossed the rooms.

As a family's prosperity increased, additional rooms were added – a dairy, scullery, cellar, cheese room and brewhouse, with additional bedrooms – leading to the rather sprawling appearance of many old houses today.

But by the 18^th century, Britain's forests were dwindling, and more durable brickwork was now favoured for building. The heyday of the timber-framed house was over.