SNN110660 - Poplars Barn, Finedon: Archaeological building recording, 2013

Archaeology Wales have been commissioned to carry out a Level 2 Historic Building Survey prior to the renovation and alteration of Poplars Barn, Finedon, Northamptonshire. This building is Grade II listed. The building recording is intended to fulfil a condition of planning permission prior to building work commencing. This is a small threshing barn, with only three bays, and low double-width doors. There are pitch-holes on the north-west and south-west elevations, and slit air-vents are positioned at the top of each gable. The barn is constructed of coursed limestone rubble with end parapets that extend above the pantile roof. The parapets have brick copings supported by ashlar kneelers. The barn roof has largely been rebuilt in the 20th century and now comprises a common rafter roof with two reconstructed trusses. The tie-beams appear to be original to the barn construction. There is a high-walled stockyard on the south-east side of the barn. This was probably built in the early 19th century, but extended in the mid 1900s with a cast iron stock fence. There is evidence for a shelter-shed adjoining the north-east gable end. This outbuilding potentially dates from the early 1800s, but has been rebuilt in the late 19th or early 20th century. The threshing barn, shelter-shed and stockyard appear to be contemporary, suggesting Poplars Barn was built as an outfarm. These types of barn are a distinctive feature of the clay vales. This appears to be a relatively late example of an outfarm, built shortly after the common fields of Finedon were enclosed in 1805.