Building record 6121/5/2 - Range of Barns c.30m North of Rectory Farmhouse

Three barns. Mid C18. Squared coursed limestone with pantile roofs.

{1} Three barns. Mid C18. Squared coursed limestone with pantile roofs. Each single-unit barns; that to west of range may have been used for a time as a stable. Elevations to farmyard have central cart entrances; that to left is under wood lintel, others are full height. Hayloft door to far left has gablet over. Chamfered plinth. Rear elevation has 2 stable-type doors under wood lintels. Interior: barn to east of range has original collar truss and purlins. Other roof structures partly renewed C19. Included for group value.

{3} The range of agricultural buildings is currently used for domestic storage and workshops for the owners of the farmhouse. The southernmost building is not part of the proposed conversion and was not included in the assessment. There are three distinct buildings, bounded to the north-east by School Lane, and stepped by less than a metre between Barns 1 and 2 at the front of the elevation; the roof line is slightly stepped between each building and of a fairly uniform pitch.
Although the buildings were constructed at different stages, the architectural styles are generally similar due to their use as agricultural buildings. However, many of the elements required for dating the buildings have been lost: most of the original roof timbers and external joinery have been replaced by modern timber during the life of the buildings.
The walls are of roughly squared, coursed limestone with areas of extensive repairs and repointing. The roofs are pantiled; the central barn in a buff-brown and the others in a red-orange pantile.
Barn 1 was probably a threshing barn, indicated by the arrangement of the cart door with a smaller door opposite. Threshing barns became widely obsolete by the 1850s following the increasing popularity of portable threshing machines. Many were re-used as cattle fodder mixing houses. The original use of Barn 2 was probably for stabling or cattle housing for a small number of animals, although no evidence for stalls survives. The building also includes a hayloft and store.
Barn 3 was not observed internally, and is not within the scope of the assessment, but is probably the earliest building of the range.
Plans and elevations. Further details of construction of each barn unit, with photographs.

{6} Undated photo, also three photos dated 02.08.2001;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 15/60 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G08 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> Warner A., 2010, Archaeological Building Assessment of the Barns at Rectory Farm, Islip, Northamptonshire, p.8-20 (checked) (Report). SNN107307.

<4> Horne B. (Editor), 2011, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (41), 41/32 (checked) (Journal). SNN108274.

<5> Chapman P. (Ed.), 2012, Archaeology in Northamptonshire, 2010, 37/206 (checked) (Article). SNN108374.

<6> Photographs of buildings in Islip (Photographs). SNN112820.

Record last edited

Jul 1 2025 9:33AM