Great Barn at Castle Hill Farm

The barn, probably of 16th century origin, is a timber-framed structure with weatherboarding and sections rebuilt in red brick, covered by a plain tile roof with gabled ends. Originally a large 6-bay barn, it likely had additional bays at the northwest end, which have since been removed. An aisle runs along the southwest side. Later outshuts and a midstrey (a central storage area) were added to the northeast side. The northeast side features a catslide roof over the outshuts, with brickwork at each end. The midstrey is located to the right of the center, with a lower, weatherboarded timber-framed outshut in the middle. The southwest side’s original aisle wall has been rebuilt in brick, containing cart entrances on the left and right, and two gabled loft doors centrally positioned. The northwest and southeast gable ends are weatherboarded. The main timber frame remains largely intact, with the exception of the rebuilt aisle wall and missing original studding and rails on the northeast and southeast walls. The interior features tall, jowled aisle posts with curved braces connecting to the aisle-plate and tie-beams. Queen posts, formed from the upper ends of cruck blades, support principals and collars, which clasp diagonally-set through purlins. The principals diminish in size above the collars. Curved wind braces are present on the clasped purlins, but not on the tenoned (butt) purlins below; similar butt-purlins are found in the aisle. The common rafter couples are complete, and there is no ridge piece. Some of the aisle ties may have been replaced. There is an engraving of the barn held within the County Record Office.