Whiston Hall Barn

SK49SW 5/97

WHISTON CHAFF LANE (north side) Whiston Hall Barn

GV II* Barn now derelict. Probably C13 or C14, altered and enlarged C16, walling probably C17 with later alterations. Post and truss timber framing; coursed rubble and dressed sandstone; no roof covering at time of resurvey. Single storey, eight bays with aisles. Exterior walling much altered and partly rebuilt c1980; retains impressive gable walls with numerous slit vents to south end.

Interior: five bays at south end of earlier build indicated by several significant features:

1) wall posts erected in position of growth, transverse lever holes and halvings for passing braces. 2) evidence of reverse assembly in aisle construction. 3) early joint forms including trait-de-jupiter arcade plate scarfs and notched lap joints to arcade braces.

Roof structure rebuilt in principal-rafter form in C16 but original collar-rafter roof indicated by reused rafters.The three bays at north end show typical post and truss construction details of C16 date. Various added posts and tie beams confuse the bay divisions.

The barn is the oldest example of an agricultural building in the county and the earliest timber-framed structure for which there are no regional parallels to date. Comparison may be made with the Barley Barn, Cressing Temple, Essex for which a date as early as c1200 has been claimed (Hewett cited by Jones).

Listing NGR: SK4473490053