18th century barns at Unwins Farm, Finchingfield (EHER 40861)

Two 18th century timber-framed barns were recorded in 2008 prior to their conversion to residential use.

April 2008. Building survey. Recording works were undertaken on two 18th century barns at Unwins Farm in advance of their conversion to residential/business use. They form the remains of a post-medieval farmstead known as ‘Cockfields’ with probable medieval origins. In the post-medieval period it was farmed from the nearby Belcumber Hall but now forms part of the Spains Hall estate. The farm has had a complicated development, resulting in many of the earlier buildings being lost over time. The most recognisable form today is the post-improvement 19th century farm into which the older structures, i.e. the two barns, were incorporated. This included two yards, a stable range and shelter/cart shed. Much of the evidence comes from cartographic sources, but remains of the former stable range, no longer standing, were viewed during the survey. Apart from the two barns, all the other standing buildings are modern prefabricated structures. The barns are timber-framed and boarded with corrugated asbestos roofs, formerly thatched. They have a similar though not identical construction and for this reason it is believed they were not built at the same time. Although the timbers and construction of each are comparable in their good-quality primary-braced framing and butt-purlin roofs, the earliest, the hay barn has jowled bay posts and slightly curved bracing, suggesting an early 18th century date, while the threshing barn has plain posts and bolted knee braces, more typical of a late 18th century date. Both structures have suffered from poor repair and maintenance externally but are internally fairly good. Particular survivals on the threshing barn are the lime render on the southern elevation and an exceptionally long 9m tie beam/wall plate along the midstrey. The smaller barn has a more rustic feel with its jowled posts and curved braces and lower quality timber. <1>