Building record 4032/4/1 - Home Farm Barn

Probable 18th century barn

{1} Home Farm Barn was part of a complex of agricultural buildings belonging to Great Oakley Estate. The estate has been owned and farmed by the de Capell Brooke family since 1477.
The first phase of construction is characterised by a large rectangular stone barn with four large winnowing doors and two threshing floors. The exact date of the construction of the barn has not been established, however, it is known to be after 1744 and before 1820. A likely date could be 1787.
The second phase of the building’s development was the construction of the lean-to extensions on the south-western and north-western end. The date of the construction of the extensions is also unclear but seems to be fairly soon after the first phase and certainly before 1820 when the present form of the barn first appears on a map. The extensions contain a roof constructed from re-used timbers. The purpose of the extension to the main building may have been for storage and processing of animal fodder.
A floor, likely to have been used as a granary, was also inserted into the building probably at the same time as the second phase of construction. The floor of the granary is constructed from timber floor beams and joists with a lime-ash floor surface.
After the two major phases of construction, the building remained substantially unaltered with only minor changes until the 20th century. Most of these changes appear to begin in the 19th century and broadly reflect the changing nature of agriculture until the barn complex changed to industrial use in the 20th century.
The building in its present form is unparalleled in Northamptonshire in terms of both its size and design. The original barn is not uncommon as a type, however the later extensions create a building that is unusual if not unique.

<1> Turner N., 2000, Home Farm Barn, Great Oakley, Northamptonshire: Building Recording, (checked) (Report). SNN100332.

<2> Bond A., 1999, Home Farm Barn, Great Oakley, (checked) (Photographs). SNN105509.

<3> HET Buildings Conservation Team, 1993-2006, Buildings Planning Files, C239/2/11 (part checked) (HET Planning File (Buildings)). SNN105512.

Record last edited

Mar 6 2017 9:27AM