Livestock Sheds To West Of Downs Farmhouse

The livestock sheds located to the west of Downs Farmhouse date back to the 18th century, with additions made after 1819 and some alterations in the 20th century. They were constructed for the Lestrange estate. The buildings are made of chalk lump on a carstone plinth, with brick dressings.

The original 18th-century structure runs north-south, featuring a contemporary wing at the northern end that extends westward. There are additional wings added to the center and south end on the east side after 1819, creating two east-facing yards. The east side has a doorway at the southern end, which is set in later infilling of what was once an open-fronted shed. The northern end has no openings, while the west side is open-fronted at the north end, possibly used as a cart lodge. The wing to the west of the northern end is built of chalk lump with brick quoins. The central wing, which faces east, is single-storeyed and constructed of carstone with brick quoins, featuring three single doorways and an eaves-level ventilator between the easternmost doorways. There is also a doorway with a ventilator within the gable that leads to a loose box. The south end wing, made of chalk lump with brick quoins, consists of shelter sheds that face north into the yard.

Inside, the roof of the central wing on the east side has ten bays, featuring machine-sawn timber principles and rafters, butt-purlins, and a single dovetailed and nailed collar. The tie beams are rough-hewn and not aligned with the collars. The south wing has a six-bay roof with through-purlins and dovetailed collars.

Additionally, the south wing has several 19th-century sheds and enclosed loose boxes attached, primarily built of carstone. This site is a rare surviving example of cattle housing with 18th-century origins and, along with the granary, stable, and barn, represents an unusually complete example of an 18th-century arable farmstead. These buildings are depicted on an 1819 plan.