Barn North East Of Old Hall

An 11-bay barn of 17th-century date with modifications from the 19th and 20th centuries, located at Church Road, Boreham, on the south-eastern outskirts of the historic village.

The barn is timber-framed on a brick plinth, clad with weatherboard and asbestos sheet covering to the roof. It is rectangular in plan with two midstreys projecting from the south elevation. The south elevation features 19th-century outshuts with pantile-covered roofs between the two midstreys. The larger western midstrey dates to the 17th century, while the eastern midstrey is of 19th-century origin. The north elevation has 20th-century openings at the east end. Off-centre to the west is a pedestrian door on the ground floor with hay loft above, flanked by three other doors to the hay loft, each fitted with a pair of 18th-century strap hinges.

The interior retains a complete frame of pre-1840 date with in-situ 17th-century framing and reused timbers of later date. The wall frames generally have 17th-century midrails, wall plates and tie beams of substantial and consistent scantling. The bays of both threshing floors, now laid to concrete, are defined by wall posts with iron straps and arched braces. Reused timbers are apparent throughout the studwork, with introduced straight primary bracing and bolted knee braces. Some carpenters' marks are visible. To the west of the centre lies a mid-19th-century brick granary infilling two bays, with clad timber-framed partition walls above. The roof structure comprises coupled rafters with collars and clasped purlins, though some rafters have been replaced and raking shores have been introduced at the west end.

The 17th-century timber frame of the west midstrey incorporates passing internal braces, an arch-braced open truss and wind brace in the west elevation of its clasped purlin gable roof. The eastern midstrey is of 19th-century date.

The barn forms the north boundary of the yard at Old Hall Farm, an evolved steading of medieval origin. The 15th-century and later farmhouse lies to the west. The barn is depicted on the Tithe map of 1838 and in historic Ordnance Survey maps, which show associated shelter sheds, a cart-lodge and a dairy to the south. The Ordnance Survey map of 1874 shows a building connected to the east end of the barn which had become separate by 1897. That building was removed after 1922, and the cart-lodge and dairy have been recently demolished.

It has been postulated that the barn was originally thatched and extended a further three bays to the west. The timber frame incorporates reused timbers, suggesting remodelling in the late 18th or early 19th century. In the mid-19th century, a brick granary was inserted near the centre. Further internal alterations occurred in the 20th century, including the alteration of openings.