Mid 19th century stable at Ryland’s Farm, Steeple Bumpstead (EHER 80298)

The mid 19th century buildings form part of the Victorian High Farming complex built around courtyards linking buildings in a factory configuration.

September 2014. Level 3 building survey. The buildings form part of the Victorian High Farming complex built around courtyards linking buildings in a factory configuration. Built between 1848 and 1876, according to the historic mapping and the machined quality of most of the fabric, the buildings are not particularly old, unique or intact. The stables was built at the same time of new materials, mostly cut by steam powered saws and would have housed livestock. There is a tack room with a lath and plastered ceiling and wainscoted walls in and early 20th century style and fabric. The triple Roman tiles that cover all the buildings were first popular in the 1920s. The building is of nine bays with five stables and one larger store. Originally the building was either open sides or closed with timber walls – today the walls are of mid 20th century blockwork. The doors are all early 20th century gate and ledger, tongue and grooved, softwood split stable doors with mild steel reversible hinges. The floors are concrete and the walls are raised on a concrete raft. The window openings are either blocked up or netted for birds. The building was last used commercially for raising partridges. Currently it has been used as a kennel and a store. <1>