Tithe Barn at Manor Farm

A C14 tithe barn associated with Lacock Abbey.

MATERIALS: the barn is constructed of rubble limestone under a stone slate roof.

PLAN: the barn is aligned roughly north-south, with the main entrance to the west and a projecting wing to the east.

EXTERIOR: the barn is entered through large timber doors on its western side, through a square opening which sits roughly centrally along the elevation, which is otherwise plain with no openings and sits under the tall roof of stone slates. The southern gable end, which is angled NW-SE, has an inserted arched opening at ground floor level which was later blocked, and three rectangular ventilation openings in the gable above a drip course, with a moudled stone at the apex. The south gable and west wall stand on plinths which have dressed limestone blocks above. The northern end, which adjoins the adjacent lock-up, has a square opening with a timber door at the upper level of the gable. The projecting east wing has a further set of large timber doors, with smaller doors in the north and south walls, that to the north with a pointed arch.

INTERIOR: the interior of the barn is divided into eight bays by the roof structure of raised cruck trusses with arch-braced collars, the crucks supported on dressed stone blocks. There are two purlins on each pitch, with windbraces between the lower purlins and the wallplates. The east wing has two raised cruck trusses with arch-braced collars and windbraces, and one purlin to each pitch. The wing has iron rods at tie-beam level. Some of the timbers have carpenter's marks, and some have apotropaic protection symbols. The floor of the barn is of beaten earth.