Building record 821/5/2 - Chapel Farm barns

A complex of farm buildings dating to between 1860-1886 and incorporating an 18th century barn. The buildings are generally constructed of coursed limestone with red brick dressings and have gable roofs of either Collyweston or Welsh slate coverings. The buildings comprise a priciple 11 bay barn, open-fronted cart lodges, sheds and shelter. They are much altered and there are some 20th century additions and replacement brick patching.

[1} A level two historic building survey was undertaken prior to conversion of the barns to residential use. The oldest barn was a large, four-bay threshing barn aligned east to west at the northern side of the courtyard. It was constructed of coursed limestone but had lost its roof. This barn was probably constructed in the 18th century. A second barn located to the south and aligned north to south was of three-storeys and constructed of coursed limestone with a stone tile roof. This barn was probably of a slightly later date than the first. The remainder of the buildings, comprising shelter sheds, stables and cart sheds were constructed around a courtyard from a mixture of limestone and brick and probably dated to the later 19th century and early 20th centuries.

{2} The Ashton Estate, stretching from the River Nene near Oundle in the west to Ashton Wold in the east, has been occupied since Roman times. In the 18th century it was a well-known sporting estate, with avenues of chestnut trees planted in a cross as rides, and a number of fox coverts. In the early 19th century the estate was owned by William Walcot and was largely farmed by tenants, with Ashton Wold continuing as a sporting ground. However, there is no evidence that it had ever contained a manor house, and when in 1860 it was purchased by Lionel Rothschild the sale particulars describe it as 'a very valuable and important landed estate', with sporting advantages, but no house adapted for the occupation of a gentleman. Both Lionel Rothschild and his son Nathaniel Mayer, 1st Lord Rothschild (1840-1915), showed little interest in estate, and the only structural work undertaken in the 19th century was the building of a hunting lodge at Ashton Wold, and it appears, the construction of a small model farm at Chapel Farm between 1860-1886 . However, when Lord Rothschild's second son, Nathaniel Charles (1877-1923) - known as Charles - discovered Ashton by accident, he was so impressed by the rich fauna and flora of Ashton Wold that he persuaded his father to build him a house on the site of the hunting lodge. In 1900, Lord Rothschild commissioned William Huckvale to design not only a house, but an entire complement of estate buildings. Most of the cottages at nearby Ashton were rebuilt to create a model village. These buildings are characterised by high quality design and workmanship which employs vernacular building traditions and materials.

Chapel Farm has its origins in the 17th century. The Ashton Village Sales Map of 1858, and the original surveyors map of 1853, depict the large barn and an adjoining 'L' shaped structure and two other separate buildings to the south. This suggests that the extant complex of farm buildings immediately to the north-east, depicted on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1886, was expanded and remodelled after Lionel Rothschild bought the estate in 1860. The sale particulars of 1858 describe Chapel Farm as comprising the house, together with a brewhouse and granary, double barn, stable, cow-houses, fatting lodges, dovecote, waggon lodge, sheds and cart lodge. The Chapel Farm buildings have been disused for some time and have been altered in the late 20th century through the insertion of openings, replacement of roof structures and unsympathetic maintenance. Of particular significance is the status of the large barn, severely damaged recently by a fire.

This complex of farm buildings dates to between 1860-1886 and incorporates a barn which is probably of the 18th century. The buildings are generally constructed in coursed limestone, with red brick dressings, and are much altered with some 20th century additions and replacement brick patching. The gable roofs have either Collyweston or Welsh slate coverings. The farm buildings comprise a principal barn at the rear of the complex, which pre-dates the remodelling. It is of 11 bays, with stone quoins and has central arched openings; the roof has been destroyed by fire. The remainder of the building group comprises a number of interconnecting open-fronted cart lodges, shelter and cattle sheds arranged around four yards in a regular courtyard plan.

Fragmentary line-shafting remains in the interior of the fire-damaged barn. An additional barn to the south-west of the complex has been partly converted into a squash court. No other historic fixtures and fittings are apparent.

The farm buildings at Chapel Farm, Ashton Village, are too altered to recommended them for listing.

<1> Williams, S, 2014, Level 2 Historic Building Survey: Chapel Farm, Ashton, Ashton Estate, Northamptonshire, PE8 5LD (Report). SNN114009.

<2> ENGISH HERITAGE, English Heritage Listing File, Heritage Protection Adviser, 13th October 2009 (Report). SNN111579.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 6:20PM