SNN116842 - Home Farm, Whittlebury, Northamptonshire: Historic Building Investigation and Recording

In December 2024, Pury Hill Ltd commissioned Cotswold Archaeology to undertake historic building recording of buildings at Home Farm (Whittlebury, Northamptonshire). The recording is required to preserve the building by record prior to its demolition under Conditions 12 and 18 of planning permission S/2019/0037/MAO. Home Farm is an historic farmstead that has existed since at least the mid-late 19th century when it was known as Church Farm (likely due to its proximity to the Church of St Mary). Many farms in this area were rebuilt in the 19th century to regular courtyard plans, and although Home Farm almost certainly has pre-19th century origins, it probably underwent a similar rebuilding during this period. By the late 19th century Home Farm was a large farmstead with a farmhouse to the east and two principal farm building ranges, external animal pens, and at least three enclosed yards. During the course of the late 20th century the farmhouse was split from the farm, and the agricultural buildings were gradually converted to as storage units, workshops and offices. The Level 1 and Level 2 building recording identified that while the barn, stables and several other 19th century buildings survive, they have been significantly altered during the 20th century and almost all historic finishes, fixtures and fittings have been removed. The significance of the Site lies primarily in the legible courtyard plan which represents the historic development of the farmstead, and the surviving structural fabric of the historic farm buildings on Site. The results of the historic building recording presented here will be archived as per the terms of the WSI (Appendix 1).