Monument record 3434/3/6 - Possible post-medieval building, north of Little Houghton House

Building shown on the enclosure map of 1829 but apparently demolished by 1835. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it was a tithe barn. However, archaeological investigation during development of the site found no evidence for this structure, although the remains of a timber-framed building demolished in the 18th century were identified to the north.

{1} Within the main walled kitchen garden there is a very large building depicted on the 1829 map {2}.

{3} Anecdotal evidence from the Deacon family suggests that the building had been a tithe barn associated with the original manor before the former Ward estate was broken up in the late 18th century. The tithe barn was demolished between 1829 and 1835 and it is suggested that some of the materials were used to build part of the new garden wall.

{4} Archaeological investigation was undertaken during the construction of a garage in the walled graden. The level of much of the site had been raised, probably in the second half of the 18th century. The remains of two earlier structures were found beneath this made-up ground. These comprised stone wall-footings capped with puddle clay, denoting a probable timber-framed structure and a stone revetment wall, possibly an earlier Ha-Ha. A stone-lined drain was also identified. It was earlier than the timber-framed building foundations and contained moulded decorative bricks of late medieval date (c late 15th to late 16th century) indicative of an earlier building of some opulence perhaps an antecedent to the current Houghton House. There were no apparent remains of the building depicted on the 1829 map.

<1> Prentice, J, 2018, A Heritage Asset Survey of Little Houghton House, Little Houghton, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN112390.

<2> 1829, Draft Enclosure Map of Little Houghton (Map). SNN112391.

<3> Hollowell, S, 2021, Little Houghton House (Correspondence). SNN112392.

<4> Wilson, M, 2021, Little Houghton House, 53 Bedford Road, Little Houghton, Northamptonshire, NN7 1AB: Archaeological Investigation, https://doi.org/10.5284/1100511 (Report). SNN112854.

<5> Crank, N. (Editor), 2022, South Midlands Archaeology (52), p. 74-5 (Journal). SNN115177.

Record last edited

Jul 23 2024 4:32PM