Granary/Cottage 40m N of Church Hall Farmhouse (EHER 25399)

An early 16th century or later timber framed granary which was altered to a cottage in the early 19th century. It was later used as a poultry house, and is now unused. Granaries of this early date are rare; only three others are known in Essex.

July 1988. Grade II listed. An early 16th century or later timber framed granary which was altered to a cottage in the early 19th century. It was later used as a poultry house, and is now unused. Granaries of this early date are rare; only three others are known in Essex. The building is timber framed with original infill of vertical oak planks and some later 16th century brick nogging, some cement rendering. It is roofed with handmade red plain tiles and corrugated iron. It comprises two bays aligned NW-SE, and was originally of one storey; the upper storey added for the cottage. A door and a window were also added to the north-east elevation and a hearth to the south-east elevation in the 19th century. The north-east elevation has an original vent complete with an original internal shutter on pintle hinges, a rare feature meriting special care. The 16th century brick nogging has been inserted later, outside the boards of the plank infill, with lime mortar in 'simple oblique' and 'stacked blocks' patterns. The floor is supported on brick piers, which at the outside have been joined later to form a continuous plinth; owing to the rise in the ground level this plinth is now visible externally only to the north-east. <1> See photos <2>. NRHE data transfer: Church Hall [NAT]. <3> See also <4>. NRHE summary description: Cottage built as a granary in the 15th or early 16th century, altered to a cottage in the early 19th century with the addition of an upper storey. Timber-framed with infill of vertical oak planking and some later 16th century brick nogging, some cement rendering, and roofed with red plain tiles and corrugated iron.