Building record 46/9/5 - Stone Barn and cartshed, College Farm

Large traditional barn, part of which may have medieval origins but largely rebuilt, and 19th/20th-century cartshed

{1} Building IV: Barn
Large stone barn of 7 bays with two large openings east (and one blocked) and one large, one small opening west (both possibly secondary). Walls mostly of small coursed stone. The only openings being small high slits in gables (with large timber lintels: and few putlogs visible. Roof of elm, with substantial ties, collar and small raking queenstruts. Two butt-purlins each side, slotted onto free tenons, c.10 common rafters per bay, many modem (some purlins have pegs for raters on different spacing). Much evidence of reuse, e.g. rafter couples (possibly of elm) from similar roof with struts, butt-purlins. And also windbraces, and so perhaps not medieval. Externally the west wall has a large area of rebuild in the centre, and a section at the north end which looks older (and has a slit opening, now blocked). It appears that a wide central part was rebuilt vertically, leaving ends slightly overturning. Modern concrete tile roof. NB brick threshing floors opposite two main entrances. There are timber laces in jambs of two main entrances, but not in the third one in the east wall, which looks secondary (and is now blocked) . Apparently medieval carved stone head relocated towards apex of north gable walI. 17th-18th century rebuiId on older walls. First shown on the earliest map of the site dated 1696. Large traditional barn, part of which may have medieval origins but largely rebuilt.

Building V: Cartshed
Two-bay cartshed between barn and garden wall accessed from yard to east. Timber-frame front wall, double door, and window, jowlpost to tie, strutted and iron rod truss of pine, carrying two purlins each side, and 8 common rafters, all probably C19/20th. West wall of small coursed stone. With some older reused pieces, similar to adjacent barn but divided from it by straight joint. Timber lintel and door in west wall, against south garden wall, bricked up internally. Door formerly opened inwards but raised secondary internal floor level results in lintel only c1.3 m above internal surface (c2 in above external). South gable wall of sloped stone garden wall beneath brick. Stone slate to west slope of roof. Welsh slate to east, fully torched. Probably 19th century. First shown on OS 1st edition 25” plan of 1883. 19th century roof and east wall possibly replacing earlier structure with lower floor level accessed from west.

{3} Identified by South Northamptonshire Council as being a building of historic and/or architectural significance.

{5} The barn floor is formed in part of limestone slabs and in part of brick. There were no cut features within the barn, and, where the evaluation trench passed through the barn doorway, no evidence for a foundation trench for either the existing barn, or for any earlier structure.

<1> OXFORD ARCHAEOLOGICAL UNIT, 1999, Land at College Farm, Aynho, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Desk Based Assessment and Building Recording, (checked) (Report). SNN43379.

<2> 1696/1720, The Topographical Descripton of the Lordship of the Manor of Aynho, Being the Land of Thomas Cartwright Esquire (NRO Map 4612 C(A)6268 (Map of Aynho)), (unchecked) (Map). SNN109339.

<3> SOUTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL, 2012, South Northamptonshire Council Survey of Significant Historic Buildings, (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108984.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1883, First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 Inch Mapping Series (62.15), (unchecked) (Map). SNN57907.

<5> Scott, I., 1999, College Farm, Aynho, Northamptonshire, Archaeological Evaluation Report, p.7 (checked) (Report). SNN101731.

Record last edited

Sep 30 2022 1:08PM