Like tree wood.

What type of wood is this:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9pXCedUcA-tRE1hTmxZdjN0OTg/edit?usp=sharing

And this (is a bit dirty, I've not got all the paint off yet):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9pXCedUcA-tdElGeVZkQ3F2OWs/edit?usp=sharing

First one look like Oak to me.
As you got an old house, Oak would be the usual wood that 'wood' have been used.

2nd one looks like it was added later (its not rough sawn) so is possibly Pine timber
Looking at the gap on the joist on the right hand side, im guessing the pine timber was added later to support a new ceiling.
Probably the original oak is not level, so the ceiling would not have been straight.



see if you can easily push a nail into them, at least work out if they are hardwood or softwood

The beam does look like a different wood to the joists yeah. And its definitely not rough sawn like the joists, the beam is very smooth.

The beams do connect into the outer walls and the beam in the other room is oak. It would be a bit odd them replacing it? Although this one is odd because, like you say, 2 out of the 3 of the joists don't rest on the beam properly.

could they have put it in because of the different floor heights above it ?

is that pipe still leaking ? I'll bring fittings/pipe etc.. next time

Yeah it is but I just switch out the kitchen roll and its ok.

the first pick has holes in it - so it could have had some infestation in the past & got replaced.

You might be better asking this sort of stuff at diynot.com

I'll try there cheers.