17th to 19th century model farm at Longbarns (EHER 4413)

Early 19th century model farm complex incorporating a 17th century timber-framed barn.

Monument description derived from merging EHER 4413 and 15446. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Long barns. <1> Early 19th century U-shaped farm complex. <2> Model farm complex, dating to the early 19th century and incorporating a 17th century timber-framed barn. The early 19th century buildings are predominantly of red, Flemish bond brickwork with hipped, pantile roofs and include byres, cart sheds, and a former farm office with chimney stack and cupola. In the centre of the group is a contemporary timber-framed barn clad in black weatherboarding with corrugated iron roof. The 17th century barn at the north end of the group is of black weatherboarding with corrugated iron roof. Five bays long with central gabled midstrey on side. It has braced tie beams and jowled storey posts. <3> 1997. Building survey. Model farm complex consisting of 19th century cattle pens, stock sheds, a barn and farm office, and incorporating the 17th century northern barn. The 17th century barn is the earliest surviving building in the complex, all the other buildings shown on early maps being demolished to make way for the 19th century buildings. The timber-framed weatherboarded post and truss barn has five bays with a central gabled projecting porch on the south side. A lean-to has been added to the south-western side of the barn but there is now access through from the barn. The model farm complex was probably built between 1850 and 1870, the main farm building complex comprises two stock yards with adjacent buildings. A further stock yard with shelter sheds is attached to the northern barn. The buildings are of brick in Flemish bond with hipped pantile roofs. The southern barn is contemporary with the brick-built farm buildings. Like the earlier barn, it is a post and truss, timber-framed barn with a brick wall plinth. <4> 2006. Building survey. An outbuilding in the grounds of Longbarns Cottage was recorded prior to conversion for residential usage. The structure signifies the last element recorded of the 19th century Grade II listed planned farm at Longbarns recorded in a previous FAU survey, to which the current report is intended to augment. During the survey, the outbuilding was identified as a cart shed and stable that had been much-altered by conversion to a garage/storage area, believed to be in about 1997. Its standard of décor and location close to the house, suggest it was primarily of domestic rather than farm usage, although it possible served both. Longbarns represents a post-medieval farmstead largely rebuilt in the early or mid 19th century influenced by contemporary the design and philosophy of the 'model farm'. Like many Essex farms, the most useful structure from the post-medieval farm, the barn (17th century) was retained and incorporated into a two-yard plan-form, open to the south surrounded by shelter sheds for cattle. Further covered areas for livestock were added in the late 19th century. <5> Industrial Record Number EX/AAG/SG83. <6> See also: <7>