Late 18th to early 19th century timber framed double Essex barn at Park Hall, Braintree Road (EHER 80308)

A 'Double Essex Barn' comprising nine bays with midstrey porches in the Northern elevations of Bays 3 and 7. It was built sometime between 1755 and 1802, probably at the same time as the nearby listed barn. The barn is weather boarded with a mix of 19th and late 20th century boards. The roof was originally thatched but is now clad with corrugated iron sheets and is half hipped at both ends.

January 2020. Heritage assessment. A 'Double Essex Barn' comprising nine bays with midstrey porches in the Northern elevations of Bays 3 and 7. It was built sometime between 1755 and 1802, probably at the same time as the nearby listed barn. The barn is weather boarded with a mix of 19th and late 20th century boards. The roof was originally thatched but is now clad with corrugated iron sheets and is half hipped at both ends. The full height doors are also made from corrugated iron sheets on a basic lightweight frame. Sales documents from 1884 and historic mapping show that outshuts and cattle sheds, now demolished, were built off the Eastern side of the barn. The patina on the untreated early boards shows that one was open sided allowing the boards to go grey and the other was removed just before the survey. A long concrete trough indicates cattle were sheltered here. Similarly, a grain store had been built up against the Southern elevation, but was removed shortly before survey. The granary has been built off the barn frame to the North. Both porches have early 19th century vertically boarded doors with plank battens and wrought iron furniture. The Southern door has been reversed. The main doors have been boarded over with very skimpy machined 2x4in studs or a single diagonal brace. The framing shows the main doors were reduced from full height and there are slots for leap boards. This barn has a very unusual if not unique frame, and the porches are integral to the barn frame and built to the same unusual design. The timber-frame is numbered through on the outside with a thin blade and similar numbering is seen in the Y shaped primary bracing of both porches. Internally, the floor is mostly laid to concrete but areas of an asphalt dressing floor do remain. <1>