Barn at Newland Farm

This is a late-18th century barn located in Arborfield and Newland. It is timber-framed and has weather-boarding on a brick plinth, with a tile roof. The barn has five bays, including a central threshing entrance with a projecting porch to the north, and a continuous corrugated iron lean-to on the south side.

The south-facing elevation overlooks the farmyard, featuring a central opening to the barn, sheltered by a projecting corrugated iron roof. The east elevation is weather-boarded and has a half-hipped roof, adjoined by a cattle shed. The north elevation has a low roof over the aisle, sitting on a brick plinth. A central, projecting porch with a hipped roof features plank double doors. The west elevation is also half-hipped, with irregular weather-boarding, including very wide planks towards the bottom.

Inside, the barn has five bays with an aisle on the north side. The roof structure consists of tie beam and collar trusses incorporating curved braces against the principal rafters between the tie beam and collar, which also clasp the lower purlin of two rows of purlins. Some rafters are pegged, while others have a ridge board. Straight braces connect the tie beam to the wall posts. Each bay has a heavier stud in the centre, with a staggered midrail; some bays also have straight down bracing. A pair of wind braces are present in the central bay. The arcade posts have curved braces to the arcade plate, and the post to the east is carved with the initials JM, EW, HS and the date 1778.

The barn is a complete and high-quality structure with historical significance due to the carpenters’ signatures and date on an arcade post. It contributes to the group value of the site alongside nearby early-18th century brick stable, early-19th century cattle shed, and a similar late-18th century barn across the farmyard.