Former Byre And Shelter Sheds North Of East Heddon

The former byre and shelter sheds north of East Heddon is likely a building that was originally a house, later converted into shelter sheds and a granary, and is now used as a dwelling. It dates from the 16th century or early 17th century, with extensions and alterations made in the 18th and early 19th centuries. The structure is built of random rubble and has a roof made of Welsh slate and stone slate. It is two storeys high and approximately 70 feet long, with walls that are 3½ to 4 feet thick.

The building features irregular openings and fenestration. On the ground floor, there are two shallow brick segmental arches from the 18th century and two stone segmental arches from the 19th century, as well as one blocked small window from the 16th century with a roll-moulded surround. The first floor has one small window with a roll-moulded surround, two early 17th-century windows with multi-moulded surrounds, and two with double-chamfered surrounds. The roof is steeply pitched with a gable, flat coping, and kneelers on the right gable.

Inside, the ground floor contains a very large blocked segmental-arched fireplace and massive ceiling beams, some of which have been re-set. On the first floor, at the east end, there are two 17th-century fireplaces, one of which is blocked, and the other leads to a later building behind. The roof has nine bays with heavy timbers, some of which are reused. All are principal-rafter trusses with tie beams, differing in detail: the first has a thin saddle and ridge post, the second has a saddle, the third has a king post, and the fourth to eighth have collar beams with principals joined by notched lap joints. The ninth truss is now embedded in a 19th-century end wall and features queen struts.

There is no documentary evidence available regarding the origins and original function of the building.