From the original description: Alfold House farm, which I have drawn, is an interesting example of the methods of construction which continued until about 1600. Oak timber was plentiful and brick scarce and valuable ; the only fuel was wood, and that required a large hearth, which was provided outside the timber walls, opening into the interior of the house at the base only ; this is shown in the nearer chimney. The further one has been rebuilt on the old lines and is corbelled out to provide a fireplace for the floor above, a more unusual method of construction. The house is L shaped and the wing shown may not be quite so old as the other, but that is entirely obscured by fruit trees. Probably it was always a yeoman's house, as it is now ; though the interior has been adapted by Mr. Barker to modern requirements, it is little altered and remains a charming old-world house. Alfold Park was formerly part of the manor of Shalford. In 1413 it was held by Walter de La Pole in right of his wife, and by him the land called Rykhurst was granted to William Sidney and Agnes, his wife. Their name still remains in Sidney farm and Sidney wood, where at one time there were houses for making glass established by Frenchmen ; probably these were among the factories abolished by Queen Elizabeth ; the site retains the name of 99 glass house field." The estate afterwards belonged to the Dorrington family ; there is a monument to one of these in the church dated 1693. The estate remained with them till 1729,when part, or the whole, was bought by Sir John Frederick.