Building record 91/2/2 - Possible threshing barn

{1} (Building B) A long, north-south orientated stone and brick barn with corrugated asbestos sheet roof. It flanks the western side of the main courtyard and comprises three main elements. Cartographic evidence first depicts this building on the 1884 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map and a date plaque on the road frontage of 1868 is most likely a reliable source for a date of construction.
The east- facing elevation reveals the two elements/phases of the building; the larger storage barn and two storey barn at the southern end and a smaller barn at the northern end.
The most northern end comprises a smaller part of the building, also constructed of the same stone and brick, with a simple timber door providing access. The northern end of the building is open-fronted, comprising four bays open to the roof with red brick pillars on stone bases.
The two-storey element of the building comprises an open-fronted ground floor with four bays of red brick. At first floor level are two windows with wooden frames which open outwards at the top. To the south/right of the open-front is an archway which leads into one of the inner courtyards/farmyards. On the southern/right side of the archway is a large loading door which is on the opposing side of the building to that recorded on the east-facing elevation. This door was much taller than that recorded on the opposite elevation. It may be that this part of the barn served as a threshing barn and taller access was required for
loaded carts/wagons to enter on this side and unloaded vehicles could then easily exit into the farmyard through the lower doors opposite.
Detailed building description, plans and photos.

The earliest phase identified in this survey is believed to be the construction of Buildings B, D and E as part of the farm re-modelling which took place in 1868. It is documented that Sir Thomas Fermor-Hesketh carried out a series of repairs to Easton Neston House and the estate farm buildings upon his inheritance in 1867.
The buildings which were present prior to the construction of Buildings B, D and E were all on an irregular lay out. The re-design of the farm buildings in the 1860s represented a more planned model farm design. The buildings were aligned at right angles and created regular inner courtyards and a walled area on the western side. This design also created more of a separation from the farmhouse – positioning the stables closer to the house with the cattle farming on the side furthest away.
Modernisation and adaptation of the buildings to allow for a change in agricultural practices has removed many of the original fixtures and fittings that may have been located within the buildings. However, the open-fronted western sides of Building B would perhaps have easily accommodated cattle coming in from the fields to the south of the farm or from the walled farmyard to the west. The southern end of Building B may have provided storage, however, the presence of opposing doors, particularly of such height on one side, often indicate use as a threshing barn. This may suggest a mix of arable and cattle farming may have been taking place at Showsley, or perhaps that the building was utilised by another farm on the estate.
At some point between the construction of the model farm and the creation of the First Ordnance Survey Map of 1884, some minor alterations took place to Buildings B and E which were identified during the survey.
Cartographic evidence also indicates that between 1884 and 1901 an additional building was constructed on the eastern side of Building B.

<1> Fletcher T., 2013, Showsley Grounds, Easton Neston, Northamptonshire: Historic Building Recording, (checked) (Report). SNN109130.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1884, First Edition OS Map (Sheet 56.3), (unchecked) (Map). SNN109236.

<3> 1895, Easton Neston Estate Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN109235.

Record last edited

Jan 29 2014 12:52PM