Building record 2247/1/9 - Castle Barn c.50m North East of Thorpe Castle House

Castle crenellated in 1301 by Walter de Langton, Bishop of Lichfield. The existing building, early 14th century and now used as a barn, was the great hall of the castle and originally two storeys. The upper room floor has gone but the open roof displays magnificent timber work of tie-bean construction. The building has a stone exterior.

{1} Great hall of castle, now a barn. Early C14 origins for Walter de Langton, Bishop of Lichfield. Squared coursed limestone with thatch roof. Rectangular plan, originally probably the hall and solar range. Originally part 2 storeys, first floor structure now removed. West elevation has central C19 cart entrance. Ashlar plinth. Ashlar gable parapets. Gable to left has projecting chimney breast, corbelled out from first floor level, and with octagonal crenellated flue on square base. At attic level the chimney breast is flanked by deeply recessed circular windows with moulded surrounds. Right gable has slit vents. Rear has C19 central cart entrance. Interior: very fine king-post roof structure. Tie beams have wall posts and curved braces, the king posts have braces in both directions, and similar braces opposite the collars. Main beams have moulded soffits. Moulded cornice. Evidence of screen in roof structure of bay to north. Evidence of first floor fireplace in north gable wall. Roof str cture of hall range has smoke blackening. A 2-storey gabled porch is said to have been removed C19. Walter de Langton was licensed to crenellate in 1301.

{3} Standing building: medieval manor house of C14th date, now a barn. Architecturally the building is now a barn of C16/17th date. Adjoining buildings are now demolished.

{4} The manor for the Bishop of Coventry, the first floor survives as a barn, the lancet window is included in the later building on the site perhaps reset.

{9} The large stone barn appears originally to have been a medieval domestic building.

{10} Castle Barn is a Grade I Listed medieval hall (although with later alterations). Built of local limestone, Castle Barn is believed to incorporate the shell of the former Great Hall of Thorpe Waterville Castle, which Walter de Langton obtained licence to crenellate in 1301. It is said that he got wood for the roof from forests belonging to Pipewell Abbey.

{11} Three undated photos;

{13} Notes and plan sketch of barn, sketches, drawings with measurements, beautiful watercolour of barn;

{14} Photo dated 4th May 1963;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 7/135 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G09 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.135-9+N1 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100370.

<4> Woodfield P., 1981, The Larger Medieval Houses of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Article). SNN23550.

<5> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.429 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<6> Farrar, V., 1982, Letters concerning the barn at Thorpe Castle House, Thorpe Waterville, (unchecked) (Correspondence). SNN106505.

<7> Farrar, V., 1981, A conservation report on the ancient castle barn at Thorpe Castle House, Thorpe Waterville, (unchecked) (Unpublished Report). SNN106504.

<8> Farrar, V., 1983, Castle Barn, Thorpe Waterville, (unchecked) (Plan). SNN107655.

<9> Walford J., 2009, Archaeological Geophysical Survey of Thorpe Waterville Castle, Northamptonshire, June 2009, p.1 (checked) (Report). SNN106570.

<10> Soden I., 2009, Archaeological Watching Brief at Thorpe Castle House, Thorpe Waterville, Northamptonshire, p.1-2 (checked) (Report). SNN106411.

<11> Photographs of buildings in Thorpe Achurch (Photographs). SNN113595.

<12> Historic England, Undated, CASTLE FARM BARN, THORPE WATERVILLE, BF085104 (Archive). SNN114580.

<13> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/266/1-5,7 (Archive). SNN115.

<14> Miss June Swann, 1960s- 70s, Miss June Swann Photographic Archive (Photographs). SNN116665.

Record last edited

Feb 26 2025 11:53AM