Grange Barn, Coggeshall

Grange Barn is a historic timber-framed building in Coggeshall, Essex, England. Grange Barn was built by the Cistercians in the 13th century to serve Coggeshall Abbey.[1] It underwent significant structural alteration in the 14th century. It is Grade I listed.

Grange Barn
Coggeshall Grange Barn, one of the oldest surviving timber framed buildings in Europe
General information
Location51.8679°N 0.6842°E / 51.8679; 0.6842
CountryUnited Kingdom
Construction started13th Century A. D.
Listed Building – Grade I
Designated1966
Reference no.1123112

The barn is 36.57 metres long, 13.71 metres wide and 10.67 metres high. For comparison, England's largest medieval barn, Harmondsworth Great Barn, is 58.55 metres long, 11.3 metres wide, and 11.9 metres high. The barn has a nave and two aisles. There are two midstreys (gabled porches) which would have provided access for wagons: these are 18th century.[2]

History

Coggeshall Abbey was about a quarter of a mile away. Most of its buildings have not survived, but despite the dissolution of the Abbey in the 1530s, the barn remained in continual agricultural use up until 1960 when it was left derelict.

Conservation

Grance Barn was listed,[3] and in 1982 it was compulsorily purchased by Braintree District Council, after pressure from a local group which also initiated the restoration of the building, the work being completed in 1985. The restoration received a Europa Nostra award.[4] In 1989 the barn was given to the National Trust for its future preservation. The intention is to present the structure as it was in the 14th century.

Access

Grange Barn is open to the public with a display explaining the history of the Barn, as well as a collection of woodworking tools used by a local craftsman. It is available to hire for special events.

References
  1. "A brief history". National Trust.
  2. Historic England. "The Grange Barn (1123112)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  3. Tithe Barn, Coggeshall. Hansard.
  4. "The Grange Barn". www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk.
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