Threshing Barn at Highover Farm

This is a threshing barn, dating from the late 16th or early 17th century, with extensions added in the 18th century. The barn is timber-framed, with weatherboard cladding above a flint plinth, and red brick infill laid in a Flemish bond pattern. The roof is slate-covered and steeply pitched.

The barn is arranged in a T-shape, with a rectangular main section running from the southwest to northeast, a porch projecting from the center of the southeast elevation, and an aisle to the northwest side, likely added in the 18th century.

The exterior features plain bargeboards to the gable ends, and catslide roofs over the northwest aisle and southeast shelters. The timber-framed structure has weatherboard cladding over a flint plinth, with red brick infill in the corners and some sections rebuilt. The gabled porch, in the center of the southeast elevation, has double plank doors with strap hinges, opening outwards under a jettied gable supported by knee braces. Outshot shelters, added in the mid-19th century, are located on either side of the porch and have three timber posts supporting slate roofs – the south roof is now entirely collapsed. The northwest elevation has double plank doors opening inwards, directly opposite the porch on the southeast elevation.

Inside, the barn comprises seven bays. The central bay retains a cobbled threshing floor. The roof structure incorporates clasped purlins and diagonal bracing to the principal rafters, which were numbered by the carpenter. Tie beams have knee braces to the principal posts, with diagonal braces to the wall plate. Collar beams are positioned at bay and half-bay intervals. The southeast wall retains much of its original timber posts, studs, and diagonal braces over an original flint plinth wall. The timber posts of the former northwest wall now sit on red brick plinths. The northwest aisle, likely added in the 18th century, has aisle tie beams bolted to the principal posts, with knee braces to the northwest wall, which features closely-spaced studs and some diagonal braces. The gable walls largely retain original flint construction, although their western ends have been rebuilt in brick, potentially when the northwest aisle was added. Repairs to the northwest wall and porch have used red brick at various times.