Cowhouse at Abbey Farm

The cowhouse at Abbey Farm is a Grade II* listed building that forms the eastern range of structures surrounding the farmyard. Built at right angles to the main barn to the south, it dates mainly from the late 18th century but includes several worked stones from the nearby friary, suggesting it occupies the site of a former monastic building. The southern section of the cowhouse appears to be contemporary with the earlier main barn, while the building was later extended to the north.

Constructed from roughly coursed and squared stone with slate roofs, the cowhouse is two storeys high and features a five-window range that is irregularly fenestrated, with all windows having voussoir heads. The central doorway has been inserted or renewed and is flanked by windows, while a blocked door to the left is also accompanied by windows. The right-hand section is obscured by lean-to additions.

Inside, the building has heavy queen post trusses and collar roof trusses. The southern elevation features double central doors with yellow brick heads, loft entries on either side, and ventilation slits to the left. Various worked stones are incorporated into the stonework. A lower addition to the west may have originally served as a cart-shed, with a timber lintel supported by a central brick pier over infilled entries in the southern elevation.

Notably, towards the northern gable end, there is a niche that houses a severely eroded effigy, likely dating from the early 14th century. The northern elevation is largely covered by later lean-to additions, but it probably contains a medieval wall, possibly part of a former dormitory, with four blocked straight-headed windows that have red sandstone surrounds, set high and visible above the additions.