The Cowyards And Cowyards Cottage

The Cowyards and Cowyards Cottage are farm buildings dating from around 1860. They are constructed from squared and coursed limestone and feature gabled Welsh slate roofs, complete with ball finials on the stone-coped gables of the central range. The buildings are arranged in a U-plan, with the central range dividing the enclosure into two foldyards that are open to the front.

In the right yard, there is a range that includes a saddle room with a segmental arch over a plank door and a stone ridge stack. This range also has a loosebox area featuring three stable doors, slatted openings, and cast-iron columns supporting a row of slatted ventilators beneath the eaves. At the rear, there are segmental stone arches over a door flanked by two-light casements with glazing bars, along with a through-entry to the right.

The left yard contains similar stable doors and casements at the rear, as well as eight plank doors leading to the range on the left. There are also double doors to a swill house, with a stone stack at the front of the left range. The central range features cast-iron columns supporting another row of slatted ventilators beneath the eaves, and at the rear, there are segmental stone arches over plank double doors leading to a two-storey mixing house. Inside, there are plank doors and feeding passages.

Additionally, there is a mid-19th century Cowyards Cottage made from similar materials, which is attached to the right. This complex is a good example of mid-19th century stock farm architecture. Blenheim Park, where these buildings are located, is included in the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission Register of Parks and Gardens at Grade I.