Cart Shed At Church Farm

The cart shed at Church Farm is an 18th-century structure that features a timber frame with wattle and daub infill and a pantiled roof. The south elevation consists of five bays that are open to the south, supported by four wooden uprights on 20th-century cast iron bases. This shed is located a short distance north of the main group of farm buildings.

Inside, small curved arch braces connect the sides of the wooden uprights to the wall plate, while larger arch braces extend from the back to the tie beams. The wooden uprights have decorative jowls just above the arch brace mortices. The rear wall is timber framed, with wall posts and studding, and features curved braces that form an inverted V shape down to the floor. The roof has seven bays, with two rows of staggered butt purlins that are chamfered and stopped, one row of morticed collars that are pegged, and includes carpenters' marks and scarf joints in the wall plate.

Historically, this cart shed is part of a remarkably complete example of a farmstead with vernacular buildings that predate the improvements made in the mid-19th century. The cart shed, barn, and stables exhibit significant vernacular characteristics and functional details that are distinctive of the period in this historically important agricultural area. The 19th-century additions, also built in the vernacular style and partly constructed of clay lump, are an important part of this group, showcasing the enhanced standards of buildings for cattle.