19th century model farm, Clavering Hall, Clavering (EHER 47365)

The main barn and associated dairy were constructed in the 19th century as part of a model farm arrangement.

January 2010. Building survey. In January 2010 Archaeological Solutions Ltd (AS) carried out a programme of historic building recording at Clavering Hall Barns, Clavering, Essex. The historic building recording was carried out to comply with a planning condition to convert the existing agricultural buildings to residential use. The assessment found that the main barn and associated dairy were constructed at the same time as the farm-house and other buildings - most probably in the second quarter of the 19th century as part of a model-farm arrangement. The partially open-fronted Drovers' Barn to the north was added at the end of the 19th century. The main barn remains in good condition and remarkably little altered from its original concept, being constructed of brick with a timber-framed yard elevation, complete with cosmetic midstreys and low outshuts for storage, workshops and use as cart-sheds. The associated dairy range is also contemporary, and originally combined open-fronted bays for cart-sheds with partitioned storage cells, though latterly most of the building was consolidated, enclosed and then divided again for dairy use. The existing complex at Clavering Hall Barns is a planned or ‘model’ farmstead dating from the first years of the 19th century. The buildings sit in isolation in flat open country to the south of the village of Clavering, adjoining Stortford Road. The farm comprises the Grade II Listed farm house (not part of the assessment) and a range of agricultural buildings including a barn, former dairy and partly open vehicle shed adjoining to the north. Modern buildings are represented by a steel and cement milling barn. <1>