Building record 5616/4/2 - Home Farm Cottages & Attached Barn

Barn, now 2 houses and attached barn. Late C17, part probably converted to house mid C19.

{1} Barn, now 2 houses and attached barn. Late C17, part probably converted to house mid C19. Regular coursed and squared coursed limestone with slate roof. Houses each originally one-unit plans. 2 storeys. Together comprising a 2-window range of C19 and C20 casements, some with glazing bars, all under flat brick arches. One-unit barn attached to right has central cart entrance with plank doors taken up to eaves flanked by slit vents. Ashlar gable parapets, that to right has finial. Brick stacks at ridge and end. Interiors not inspected. Rear has 2 C19 plank doors to houses under flat brick arches with flanking casement windows. Included for group value.

{3} Undated photo;

{5} Home Farm comprises an early post-medieval farmstead built originally on a linear plan form and adapted over time to form a courtyard. The principal range (Cottages 1 & 2 and Barn 1) are the earliest structures within the part of the farm surveyed, comprising of a single phase of construction most likely dating to the 17th century. When built they comprised two principal components: an open plan barn to the north for threshing and storage of crops; and a smaller barn to the south. The function of the latter is uncertain, as the only surviving feature relating to the original use comprised a central blocked doorway in its south-east elevation; although the size of this opening and absence of evidence for windows or ventilation might suggest accommodation for cattle. It is possible that earlier windows, or openings were adapted and enlarged following the later conversion of the southern part of the building to cottages. This conversion most likely took place during the mid-19th century, on the basis of the character of surviving internal fixtures and fittings and use of yellow brick and associated internal joinery details. The northern range (Barn 2) also appeared of a single phase of construction, although it abutted Barn 1 and was therefore later. Although a structure is shown on part the footprint of Barn 2 on the 1736 estate map, the absence of structural joints to indicate the extension of this earlier building to that occupying the full footprint of Barn 2 suggests that this earlier building was entirely rebuilt. Whilst the trusses in Barn 2 are of similar design to those of Barn 1, and may be of contemporary date, the assembly marks appear on opposing faces and do not exactly match the roofline, suggesting they could have been reused. The original use of Barn 2 is unclear, although the survival of a concrete skim along the lower part of the walls is a typical improvement made to cowhouses in the early to mid-20th century in accordance with dairy hygiene regulations.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 12/148 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G07 p.80 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> Photographs of buildings in Twywell (Photographs). SNN113617.

<4> Thomson, J, 2020, Home Farm, Lower Street, Twywell, Northamptonshire: Heritage Statement (Report). SNN116769.

<5> James Thomson, 2024, HOME FARM BARN & COTTAGES, Twywell, Northamptonshire: Historic Building Record (Report). SNN117060.

Record last edited

Apr 22 2026 3:27PM