South Barn at Church Farm

This is a barn, likely dating to the 16th century or earlier, situated on the south side of Church Farm. It is a timber-frame structure with a low sill of red brick (replaced), dark weatherboarding, and a hipped roof covered in old red tiles. The barn is five bays long and faces north, forming the south range of the farmyard. A central double doorway is located on the north side, with raised eaves and rafters above. The barn features heavy, jowled posts with curved braces to the wall-plate and tie-beams. Mid-bay posts lack jowls, and a mid-height rail is tenoned in-line. A squint butted scarf joint is visible in the rear wall plate. The roof has two purlins per slope. The upper purlin is clasped in the angle of the collar with the principal rafter, while the lower purlin is clasped between the principal rafter and a parallel deep member, jointed at the top and bottom into the underside of the collar and top of the tie-beam. This deep member has a curved underside, resembling an arched brace. Straight wind braces are attached to the upper purlin, and the rafters are laid flat. A small door is located in the west end. The roof construction is considered unique in this part of Hertfordshire.