Barn At Manor Farm

This is a timber-framed barn, likely dating to the 18th century, situated near Easington, between the Chiltern Hills and the River Thame. It is a building of substantial vernacular character and retains a significant portion of its original timbers. The barn is four bays wide, with a cart bay projecting forward from the third bay on the west-facing farmyard side. While there is now a pedestrian door, it may have once provided a cross-draught for threshing if the barn was used for cereal storage and processing.

The frame is constructed of oak and possibly elm; the weatherboarding was renewed around 1990, as was the corrugated tin roof. A brick plinth at the base has been partly replaced with blockwork. The main trusses feature slight jowls to the main posts which support tie beams. These tie beams are lightly squared and retain much bark, suggesting they are likely of elm, contrasting with the predominantly oak used for the rest of the frame. The roof is of a queen post variant, with principal rafters lightly braced using collar plates, angle braces, common rafters, and twin purlins; many timbers are waney and retain bark. Some original lathes were left in place during the roof replacement, indicating a previous tile covering. The side walls have narrow, closely-spaced studs with long angle braces from wall plate to ground-floor sill, although many of these studs and braces were replaced in the 20th century. No threshing floor was visible.

The barn was likely one of a group of farm buildings associated with Manor Farm, as suggested by late 19th century Ordnance Survey maps. The other buildings in that group were cleared in the second half of the 20th century and replaced with modern sheds. Manor Farm farmhouse itself dates to the 16th century and later and its proximity to Easington's medieval parish church may mark the medieval manorial site.

The barn is designated for its post-medieval character, the retention of its original timbers, and for its group value alongside the Manor Farm farmhouse and the nearby Grade II* listed church.