SNN112537 - Historic Building Recording: The Old Barn, Franklin's Yard, Church Lane, Evenley, NN13 5SG

In March 2021, historic building recording was undertaken of The Old Barn, Church Lane, Evenley, prior to conversion for residential use. The building, which is the last of the farm buildings at the former Park Farm to be repurposed, is a range consisting of a barn, stables and a small lean-to, located on the west side of the former farm complex. It is not listed. Though firm dating evidence is scant, it appears that the barn was possibly constructed in the 18th century, followed by the stables and the lean-to. As built, the barn had large opposing doorways and could possibly have been used for threshing, though it is small when compared to other threshing barns. Probably at some time in the 19th century it was converted into six loose boxes for horses, using for the conversion unusually high-quality fittings, possibly salvaged from stables belonging to a country house in the locality. In the latter half of the 20th century the loose boxes were removed and the building was used for storage. As built, the stables were open-fronted to the east: that and the trough running the length of the building suggests it was originally a cow byre. Sometime in the 20th century – possibly when the barn ceased to be a stable – the east side of the structure was walled up in stock brick, and partitions were inserted internally to create three loose boxes. The building remains in use as a stable. The lean-to contains no features or fittings to suggest its original function. It is currently in use as a bin cupboard