Tithe Barn

The Tithe Barn, formerly known as Abbey Barn at Grange Farm, is located on Grange Road in Buckfast. This building, which served as a barn for Buckfast Abbey, likely dates back to the late 13th century. It has been reduced in width and height and was converted into houses around the 1970s. The structure is built from local grey limestone and slatestone rubble, topped with a gabled slate roof.

The barn is situated some distance from the abbey complex and is aligned west-east. A plan from 1935 by A.W. Everett shows that the original south wall has been demolished and rebuilt further north. Originally, the barn consisted of seven bays with a central midstrey, and evidence of its original roof construction suggests it may have had a base cruck roof. Everett also noted a former horse engine house to the north.

The exterior features early medieval walls that are battered rather than buttressed. The north elevation is the most complete and mostly blind to the east of a projecting rear wing, which is now a third house. There is a small secondary doorway in the center of the exposed rear wall. The end walls retain their full medieval width, although the southern parts now serve as garden walls for the houses. The south elevation has seven 20th-century small-pane casements and ground-floor windows and doors, including a garage door. The east end wall is not visible from the outside but is said to have at least seven slits, six feet high, with internal splays.

Inside, the west end house has been partially inspected and retains some chamfered stopped crossbeams from an early loft, although the exact date of these features is uncertain. The roof has not been inspected but is reported to have modern timbers. Archaeological evidence for the original roof form may still exist within the barn. Despite significant alterations, the Tithe Barn remains an important medieval structure and a notable part of the Buckfast Abbey group.