Eighteenth century timber framed barn at Bulimers Farm, Writtle (EHER 80870)

An 18th century timber framed farm house, curtilage listed with Bulimers Farmhouse to the NE. The barn appears to be of 18th century construction, with the original framing and studwork surviving. Lean-to structures were added to either side of the porch by the late 19th century. Access doors to the lean-tos appear to have been inserted later, with the doors re-used from elsewhere.

November 2010. Heritage assessment. The barn is located to the SW of Bulimers Farmhouse (EHER 30984, a Grade II listed late medieval timber framed building with a 19th century range on the South side, and is curtilage listed with the farmhouse. The barn appears to be of 18th century construction, with the original framing and studwork surviving. Lean-to structures were added to either side of the porch by the late 19th century. Access doors to the lean-tos appear to have been inserted later, with the doors re-used from elsewhere. The cartographic evidence appears to show that the site was occupied by at least 1777, and the later mapping indicates that it formed a well laid out farmstead by the mid 19th century. The present barn is shown as a rectangular block on the 1st edition 25” scale OS map of 1874, suggesting that the lean-to structures on either side of the porch were established by this period. That to the East of the porch is marked as open fronted on the 2nd edition OS map of 1896. An examination of the barn shows that it is a 5-bayed structure of timber framed construction. The framing and studwork throughout the barn appears largely to be original, and in good condition. The exception to this is the sole-plate, where it is visible, which shows signs of weathering and decay. Carpenter's marks are visible on the diagonal braces to the tie-beams. Face-halved and bladed scarf joints are visible in the wall-plate, dividing the plate into three sections in both North and South elevations. In both elevations, the joints are located just to the East and just to the West of the middle bay. The framed construction, and the use of shorter lengths of timber for the wall plate, suggest a date no earlier than the 18th century. The uniformity of the timbers and use of hardwoods suggests a date no later than the early 19th century. <1>