Farm Buildings at Nantcribba

The farm buildings at Nantcribba are a complex of structures dating from the 19th century, constructed from brick made on the estate, set on chamfered stone plinths, and with slate roofs. The layout is largely symmetrical, centred around a two-storey spine range, running northeast to southwest with an approximate span of 12 metres, which houses the main straw barn. Two-storey cross ranges, each with a span of 6.5 metres and 14 roof bays, are positioned two-thirds of the way along the southwest side of the spine range. Two single-storey ranges then extend outwards at right angles from the cross ranges, each featuring seven open arches and terminating in pens with small yards. These single-storey ranges form two stock yards on either side of the southwest end of the barn range, designed for beef cattle. Internally, the ample feeding walks are interconnected and provide direct access to the cratches. The spine barn range has 14 tensioned queen post-and-collar trusses located northeast of the cross range junction, while the cross ranges feature haunched king posts and angled strut trusses. The large stockyard in the northern angle is paved with large stone sets and includes a seven-bay carthouse supported by cast iron columns on its northeast side, with a wide six-roof-bay granary above. A further range, at right angles to the northwest cross range, encloses the large stock yard, with stables for brood mares on the inner yard side and for stallions on the outer face. The corresponding eastern angle contains a rick yard. Tall round-arched openings provide access to the enclosed, paved north yard, with similar arches forming a cross space in the great barn range. Access doors to the feeding walks are framed and battened, with some recessed ironmongery, and the windows are part louvred and part glazed, a characteristic feature of buildings on the Leighton Estate. Stone-coped brick walls enclose the cattle yards between the southwest wings. A stone shield bearing initials and a date is located on the southwest gable of the barn, and some bricks are impressed with "JN1874". An underground system is said to distribute effluent to a large holding tank beyond the southeast end of the cross range, with distribution pipes leading to the fields.