Cattle Shelter Attached to Barn to Rear of Hillhouse Farmhouse

This is a cattle shelter attached to the barn at the rear of Hillhouse Farmhouse, dating from the 18th century with later alterations. It is timber framed, originally featuring weatherboard cladding on the rear and vertical planks on the right gable, topped with a plain tile roof. The shelter has four open bays at the front and is connected to the barn at the east end, with a 20th-century cattle shelter added to the rear. There is a board hatch shutter in the rear wall and pigeon holes in the west gable. The structure is supported by wooden posts on brick plinths, which have braces connecting to the wall-plate and cambered tie-beams. These tie-beams carry king-posts, each with a single curved brace extending down to the tie-beam on alternating sides and up to the ridge-piece. A covered passage has been added at the front, featuring a lean-to roof made of corrugated iron. This cattle shelter is an unusual example from the 18th century and is an integral part of the farmyard.