Tithe Barn Approximately 80M West Of Frocester Court

This is a large tithe barn, dating back to approximately 1300, with a roof rebuilt in the early 16th century and alterations made in the 19th century. It is located about 80 metres west of Frocester Court. The barn is constructed of coursed and random rubble limestone, with roughcast render to the south-west end, and has a stone slate roof. It comprises thirteen bays, featuring two gabled porches on the south-east side, each with a casement window in the roughcast gable and plank barn doors beneath. An outshut shelter, added in the 19th century, is situated between the porches and supported by a flying buttress structure that rests on earlier buttresses. Two pointed arched openings were inserted on the south-east side in the 19th century, one mirroring a similar opening on the north-west side, aligned with a gabled porch. Slit vents are found in several other bays, and the gabled ends have parapets with slit vents.

The interior retains a raised base cruck roof structure with strutting to arched bracing. A principal purlin runs at the main collar level, with arched wind bracing. A second set of secondary purlins sits above the principal purlin, creating a cross pattern effect with more arched wind bracing. A further set of secondary purlins is positioned below the main collar level, without wind bracing. A 19th-century raised platform occupies two bays and once housed water-powered milling machinery.

The barn is believed to be the 'magna grangia de Froucestre' constructed by John de Gamages, abbot of St Peter's Abbey, Gloucester, between 1284 and 1306. Recent investigations reveal the early 16th-century roof replacement followed a substantial fire, representing a close copy of the original but erected using an unusual process to accommodate the pre-existing structure. Later in the 16th century, after the barn was purchased by George Huntley, the end bays were converted for domestic use, with partitions and floors later removed. It is one of the most significant medieval tithe barns in the country, despite the later roof. A group of 19th-century shelter sheds and yards are situated immediately to the south-east.