Barn at Manor Farm

BARN AT MANOR FARM, COPYTHORNE

A timber-framed threshing barn dating to around 1637, with a later slate roof. Dendrochronological analysis confirms that timbers were felled in 1636/37, indicating the barn was constructed within a year or two of this date.

STRUCTURE AND MATERIALS

The barn is constructed with a substantial oak timber frame, featuring red and vitrified brick nogging, weatherboarding, and some corrugated iron shuttering. The roof is steeply pitched and slate, with a hipped form. The building is aligned north-west to south-east.

EXTERIOR

The barn presents a gabled structure. Originally, aisles were present on both sides, but these were removed and filled in during the 18th century with red brick nogging incorporating some vitrified brick headers, particularly on the east elevation and part of the west side. The remaining two bays on the west side and the gable ends are weatherboarded. Some corrugated iron shuttering fills gaps in the west elevation. On the south-east and north-east sides are adjoining structures: a single-storey gabled red brick building to the south-east, and a lean-to with a cat-slide corrugated asbestos roof positioned where the original eastern aisle stood.

INTERIOR AND FRAME DETAILS

The frame is of large dimensions, constructed in oak with rectangular frame panels in the gable ends. The central bay is the largest, and on its east side are two large door jambs and a lintel forming a wagon entrance that would originally have protruded into the east aisle. Though the barn now appears aisle-less, the original arcade braces remain encapsulated within the later brickwork.

At the gable ends, the wall framing comprises a central storey post set between low-set mid-rails, with two studs on either side. The principal posts are substantial in section and not jowled, with mortices for aisle ties visible on their outer faces. A wall plate is present. Pegged straight wind and wall braces are used throughout the main body, while the gable ends employ concave braces. The side purlins are clasped between diminished principal rafters and raking struts. The common rafters, reported to be pit-sawn oak, have bridle joints at the apex.

The adjoining red brick and lean-to structures are not of special interest.

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

In the 18th century, the aisles were removed and the arcades bricked up. At approximately the same period, a winnowing door on the west side was removed. The barn was part of a larger complex of farm buildings thought to have occupied the site of the medieval manor of Winsor.