NHER 9413 (Building record) - Church Farmhouse and Earlham Lodge

6 October 1976. Visit by E. Rose (NAU).
The farmhouse north of churchyard is an early 17th century timber framed building with slightly projecting upper storeys and octagonal chimneys. (S1) identifies this with a house mentioned by Norris in 1730 which had a two-storey porch, and which he claimed was the original hall of pre 1571. There is no porch now and no external evidence of this age, although the vicar says some old wattle and daub was discovered inside during restoration. A wing at right angles is Earlham Lodge, a late 17th or 18th century building (covered in ivy) with classical doorway and dentilled cornice. Of the farm buildings, those which remain as the University canoeing centre are 18th/19th century. Whole complex now part of University village.
E. Rose (NAU) 6 October 1976.

E. B. Green (NCM) notes wall paintings.
E. Rose (NAU).

Listing grade II, republished 1986, dates building as having a 16th century core; describes Church Farm (east-west) range as early 17th century west of axial chimney stack and later 17th century to east and Earlham Lodge (north-south) wing as later 17th century behind 19th century facade (not around 1700 as suggested above). Notes traces of earlier windows in Church Farm south facade but otherwise does not identify the 16th century work. Interior is described as having 17th century stencil decoration on south studwork of east-west range and on north wallplate, also vine leaf frieze and polychrome decoration of balusters and urns etc. 17th century door to winder stair to roof of double butt purlins ducks nest grates, north-south range has similar roof, and strapwork column in attic partition.
See Listing (S2).
E. Rose (NAU) 20 May 1986.

May 1993. Found with metal detector immediately outside east facade of building.
Roman coin. See sheet.
Roman bronze hair pin. Facetted head. Late 3rd-4th century.
Cool Group 15.
A. Rogerson (NLA) 5 August 1993.

September 2002. Building Survey.
Survey prior to proposed conversion of Earlham Lodge into residential units.
See report (S3) for further details.
This report gives yet a third interpretation - mid 16th century hall house (which he states is a very late date for the Norwich area), extended in 17th century, Earlham Lodge being indeed around 1700 but altered in the 19th century. Smith was unaware of Cozens-Hardy's reference (S1), and does not mention it.
E. Rose (NLA) 17 October 2003. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 12 January 2016.