Linhay at Byes Farm

Linhay, C18 with C20 alterations.

MATERIALS: it is constructed of random rubble stone and timber-framed to the front, with a corrugated-metal roof covering. Various repairs and alterations in concrete block.

PLAN: the agricultural buildings are grouped loosely around two yards. The LINHAY to the north, and milking shed, barn and stables building to the east form an L-shaped plan around a yard. There is a second group of farm buildings consisting of animal housing, probably a calves’ house, and a cartshed to the south which enclose three sides of a small yard.

The linhay is rectangular on plan. Its footprint was originally longer, extending further to the east, and its current footprint dates from when the adjacent milking shed was added in the C20.

EXTERIOR: it is a two-storey, linear range, now of seven irregular bays, which was built to provide cattle housing with a hayloft above. It faces onto the farmyard and was originally open-fronted. The wide, left-hand bay is a full-height covered way from where the hayloft could also be accessed for loading and/or unloading. Bays two to five have timber posts on stone pads, several replaced with concrete, and the former open bays between have been infilled with concrete blocks to the ground floor and corrugated sheeting to the upper level. These contain various door and window openings. The front elevation of the narrower, eastern bay is built rendered concrete blocks, as is the east gable wall. It has a C20 plank door and multi-paned window with a concrete cill. The rear and west elevations are stone rubble, and there are first-floor taking-in openings to the rear, one contains a wooden door, the other one has partially collapsed.

INTERIOR: the building formerly provided cattle housing with a hayloft above. The ground floor retains the remains of wooden cattle stalls which have been repaired and reinforced, a brick feeding trough and a concrete floor, although an earlier cobbled floor is evident. A piped water supply system has been added in the C20. One of the bays, at the west end, has been partitioned off to provide a separate stall, and the eastern bay can only be accessed externally. The hayloft is one large, open space which opens onto the covered way to the west. The roof comprises lapped principal rafters that are pegged at the apex, later collars, a ridge piece, single row of purlins and common rafters.