Slaughter House About 20 Metres South South West of No 45 (Belgrave House)

The slaughterhouse, located about 20 metres south-south-west of No. 45 (Belgrave House) in Moretonhampstead, is likely from the early to mid 19th century. It is constructed from granite rubble and features a steeply pitched corrugated asbestos roof with gabled ends. The building is a single cell, rectangular and nearly square in shape, with a small boiling house attached to the south-west corner, which was likely added later for cleaning purposes.

The north front has a doorway to the left, framed by heavy timber and featuring a halved plank door. The south rear elevation has a central window with a fixed light, although some glazing bars are missing. The west gable end includes a small ventilation hole in the gable and a blocked window to the left, which has a drain hole below it, likely for draining blood. The small boiling house on the right is faced in brick and has a corrugated iron lean-to roof. The east gable end has small ventilation holes and a window opening below. All openings have timber lintels, except for the ventilation holes, which have stone lintels.

Inside, the walls are limewashed, and the roof consists of bolted, roughly dressed A-trusses with halved collars. Two low tie-beams support tackle and a hoist, with a large wooden hoist wheel on an axle. There is a small man-powered gin wheel below, with its axle positioned between two ports. At the opposite end, there is a third, higher level tie-beam. An iron rail on timber brackets runs around three sides of the interior, presumably for hanging carcasses, and there is a doorway in the corner leading to the boiling house. This building is an interesting and rare example of a complete slaughterhouse, retaining its simple wooden machinery and tackle.