Asset type
Historical Building - Agricultural (now residential and community)
Local Listing Reference
LLHA0016
Conservation Area (CA)
Patcham CA
Description
The Village Barn is located beside the Church at the heart of the village of Patcham. It originally formed part of Patcham Court Farm, and part of the Marquess of Abergavenny’s estate. Long, low form, with flint and brick walls and a slate roof. The building is believed to be the longest surviving barn in England, although built in phases. It is in total 19 bays in length. The earliest section comprises the western five bays (now houses 1, 2, 3). Aisled form with large arcade posts, tiebeams and passing braces. It was extended eastwards by 10 bays in c.1550. The final four bays were added in c.1610, now forming the present Church Hall. The barn was heavily repaired sometime between 1621 to 1642. It was converted in the 1980s to residential use, a process which involved a substantial amount of changes, including insertion of rooflights and loss of the original roof structures. These changes erode the character of the building, and resulted in it being de-listed as part of the 1990s list review.
A. Architectural, design and artistic interest
ii. A good example of a timber framed barn, elements of which are medieval in date.
v. Aesthetic interest due in particular to its long roofline and the use of vernacular materials.
B. Historic and evidential interest
ii. Reminder of the agricultural origins of the former village of Patcham. Its association with the Church, dovecote and farmhouse act as a reminder of its former importance as the farm of the Lord of the Manor. It formed a central part in village life, both in agricultural terms and as the seat of local justice.
C. Townscape interest
i. Contributes positively to the conservation area through its distinctive form and use of vernacular materials
iii. It is identified in the Patcham Conservation Area Character Statement as a landmark
iv. It is physically and historically associated with the Church, farmhouse and dovecote, which are all listed buildings. The dovecote is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This group of buildings identify this area as the heart of the original village.
E. Rarity and representativeness
i. Rare particularly due to its length, as one of the (if not the) longest barns in the country.
ii. Representative of the agricultural origins of the area
Date of inclusion
Pre-2015
