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Summary

A mid-late 17th century barn refurbished in 1800. Cob on rubble stone footings with corrugated iron roof, formerly thatched. The barn has been dated by dendrochronological analysis to the late 1780s, which would fit the refurbishment date, suggesting it was reroofed at this time. The linhay on the west side of the yard has been similarly dated.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1307033: BARN APPROXIMATELY 10 METRES SOUTH OF WIDHAYES FARMHOUSE
• SHINE: Traditional farm buildings at Widhayes Farm including 18th century Grade II* listed gatehouse, stables and linhay and Grade II listed barn

Other References/Statuses

• Old Listed Building Ref (II): 96029

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• THRESHING BARN (Built, XVIII - 1785 AD (Between) to 1799 AD (Between)) + Sci.Date

Full description

Clements, H. A., 1993, Report on Buildings at Risk in the Devon Part of the Blackdown Hills, 20, 65, 108 (Report - non-specific). SDV344049.

Risk level 3. Poor condition (B.A.R. 2.2.3). Other details: Photo.

Tyers, C + Hurford, M. + Arnold, A. + Howard, R.E. + Thorp, J., 2009, Dendrochronological Research in Devon: Phase II, 16-17, building description, photos (Report - Interim). SDV348234.

The threshing barn is a large double barn. It is built cob on low rubble stone footings under a corrugated iron roof, but was presumably originally thatched. It has two pairs of opposing double doors and threshing floors, and was originally open to the roof. The west end was floored in the 19th century. Some original plaster survives in the building inscribed with 6-petal daisy wheels and other apotropaic marks.
The results of a dendrochronological analysis undertaken on timbers from the barn and the linhay suggest two felling phases, in the spring-summer of 1785 and in the winter of 1786-7. As both buildings contain timbers from both phases they are likely to be contemporary, built in the late 1780s. This is much later than the expected date of c.1600-1700.

English Heritage, 2010, Historic Houses Register (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV154869.

Barn approximately 10 metres south of Widhayes Farmhouse. Double barn. Mid-late 17th century, refurbished in 1800. Cob on stone rubble footings; corrugated iron roof, formerly thatch.
Plan: long double barn on a roughly east-west axis facing north into the farmyard. There are 2 sets of full height opposing doorways onto the threshing floors.
Exterior: the long front is interrupted by 2 full height doorways, each one flanked by short projecting midstrey walls and the eaves are carried down over as small hoods. The right double doorway is 20th century but the rear one behind has the date 1800 painted on the inside. The left double doorway is probably contemporary and has the name R. Chave inscribed onto one of the flaps (he died 1827). Another flap has the worn remains of an inscribed coat of arms. The rear double doorway here is also contemporary. These double doorways of 1800 are split into flaps and complete with their original wrought iron and oak fittings. Also the left (east) end wall contains a contemporary door with hayloft loading hatch above. The right end has been mended and altered a little with 20th century brick. The roof is tall and steeply- pitched. It is hipped each end.
Interior: is open to the roof of mid-late 17th century tall A-frame trusses with pegged lap-jointed collars. This barn and the nearby linhay are particularly good examples of traditional Devon farmbuildings. Date listed: 17th march 1988.

Ordnance Survey, 2010, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV344030.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4580 - Buildings at Risk Survey
• EDV5623 - Dendrochronological Research in Devon, Phase II

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