Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire Historic farm buildings represent a signifi cant proportion of the nation’s stock of listed buildings in a rural county such as Hampshire

18th century timber frame barn, queen post roof. Introduction

Contents The importance of historic farm There has been a movement buildings within the environment away from European Union has been recognised for funding for increased food 1 Introduction 2 many years, and is high on production towards more support for the conservation Glossary 3 the agenda for those involved in building conservation of the rural environment. 2 History of farming 5 throughout the country. This includes the historic environment, archaeology and 3 Materials 8 Historic farm buildings historic man made structures, represent a signifi cant which add to the distinctive 4 Design and form 11 proportion of the nation’s stock character of regions, as well as 5 Data 17 of listed buildings and in a rural the natural environment and county such as Hampshire wildlife. 6 Policy and legislation 19 their impact on the historic The Department for Food and environment and landscape is 7 Landscape character 22 Rural Affairs (DEFRA), through highly signifi cant. its Environmental Stewardship 8 Advice and repair 36 Problems of redundancy are initiatives developed in 9 Key characteristics, 38 not new; the typical Hampshire recent years, has increased funding available for the repair guidelines and timber framed threshing barn saw its decline start with the of historic farm buildings conclusions introduction of machinery and structures. Funding is administered by Natural Contacts and 44 almost two hundred years ago. England (NE). Organisations In recent decades the There have also been pressures number of farm units has from Central Government decreased signifi cantly, with through Planning Policy a corresponding increase in Guidance Notes (PPGs) and the size of holdings. Fewer FRONT COVER PICTURES: Planning Policy Statements 1. A rare ‘cruck’ timber framed buildings are needed to service (PPSs) for sustainable rural barn with curved trusses, the farm unit, and increased listed Grade II* development, stimulation of mechanisation has meant 2. Detail from a barn in the rural economies and farm Avon valley that historic farm buildings diversifi cation. 3. Thatched farm buildings in are less adaptable to modern the Test valley agricultural use. Many have Hampshire is part of the South 4. Historic farmstead on the been sold off as surplus to East Region under considerable Hampshire Downs requirements or allowed to fall pressure of economic growth into disrepair. They have also and it is important that 1 been a source of materials for the contribution made by salvage and re-use on other historic farm buildings to the 2 buildings. environment which we cherish 4 is properly addressed. 3 Recent changes in European and Central Government This document looks at the policies will make signifi cant historic farm building stock of Hampshire and identifi es impacts on the rural some key issues and provides environment and historic guidance for farmers, farm buildings. landowners, professionals and advisors.

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 2 Glossary

3 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 4 Remains of early Roman corn drier, near Basingstoke.

During the medieval period most areas practiced mixed farming, with the chalk downs of Hampshire famed for their wool production. The manure and folding process on the arable land supported valuable corn production.

The Bishopric of Winchester and other monastic institutions dominated land ownership in the county. This began to change in the 15th and 16th centuries when land holdings HISTORY OF FARMING were broken up by the Dissolution putting large estates Located in the centre of the near Stockbridge, have yielded into secular ownership often south coast, Hampshire has evidence of agricultural accompanied by rebuilding of throughout history been the produce. farmhouses and major farm gateway to Britain for settlers buildings. from the Continent. The river Where the population was valleys provided access to the concentrated in these hill The areas of clay to the north chalk uplands and a rich culture top settlements, the harvest and south of the chalk and in developed in Wessex based on was brought home from the the Weald to the east showed trade and stockbreeding. surrounding fi elds. It is likely the process of enclosure that corn was stored in stacks from the 10th century, with Farming developed from the and threshed when time the clearance of woodland Neolithic period and was allowed. Grain was stored in (assarting) continuing until extensively employed by the circular pits dug into the chalk. the 14th century. Farms were Iron Age. The Hampshire Animal bones tell us which smaller and where a less rigid Downs still bear traces of the stock were raised, and about manorial system operated small square ‘Celtic’ fi elds from their husbandry. land owners fl ourished often this period which were tilled with through involvement with other ploughs pulled by pairs of oxen. ‘Aisled’ buildings were erected activities such as coppicing, Hill forts, such as at Danebury in Britain during the Roman brick-making or hop growing period. These rectangular and brewing around the east of structures were divided the county. internally by two longitudinal rows of The word ‘barn’ is of Anglo- timber posts set on Saxon derivation meaning stone bases. It is likely ‘barleyhouse’. At harvest time that these buildings the corn was cut with a sickle were provided with (or later with a scythe), tied simple pitched roofs up in sheaves and stooked in carried down to the the fi eld to await transport by external walls and they wagon back to the farmstead. appear to have served On arrival at the barn the wagon as combined barns and was driven inside (through the farmhouses on small cart entrance) and the sheaves estates. unloaded and stacked.

5 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire Threshinig barn with large roofed cart entrance. Boarded “engine house” (collapsed) housed animals which powered threshing machinery. A rare example in Hampshire.

Some barns have a single The threshing fl oor was covered of the farm depended. Straw winnowing door without cart with oak planks to withstand also supplied roofi ng material entrances on both sides, but the impact of the fl ail. During for buildings on the farm and most have opposite openings. threshing the barn doors nearby settlements. were left open to promote a Threshing would have taken through draught. The grain So, the barn was both a storage place during the winter. The was scooped up in shallow building and factory unit. It was threshing fl oor was located in baskets and tossed in the air not until late in the 18th century the central ‘bay’, barns typically (winnowing) so that the light that the fi rst signs of change being of fi ve bays long, early chaff and dust could be blown appeared with the introduction smaller barns having been lost aside. Interestingly, the term of the threshing machine. or extended. Smaller and larger ‘threshold’ comes from use of Barns were adapted to house derivatives exist in considerable timber boards placed across these labour saving devices, numbers. The width of the bay the cart entrance to prevent though mechanisation was varied little across the county, spillage of the grain. rare in Hampshire since cheap dictated by being able to easily labour enabled hand fl ailing to accommodate a pair of oxen Until the 17th century, the remain common, well into the and loaded wagon. clean grain, precious and small 19th century. in quantity, was commonly stored within the farmhouse. Early machines contained a During the 18th and 19th ribbed drum driven by gearing centuries granaries became so that it revolved rapidly more widespread, small timber against a sloping chute of framed structures mounted on boarding. Corn was fed in staddle stones as a precaution through a hopper, and straw against vermin and damp. The and grain emerged at the threshed straw was stacked in bottom of the chute, then the ends of the barn or taken separated using a mesh screen. straight out to the farm yard In Hampshire there was to serve as litter for animals, no shortage of manpower a vital part of the manure on to operate these threshing which the continuing survival machines, though there are

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 6 Stables and cartsheds of brick, flint and slate. 19th century farmstead. examples where animals were 19th century, water meadows The use of steam power in the used to power machinery continued to be used for barn was relatively short-lived, (Lodge Farm barn, Elvetham) grazing cattle, but by the 20th supplanted in the 20th century and the use of water power, in century spiralling labour costs by the internal combustion engine conjunction with corn milling and the introduction of cheap and in turn by the electric motor. (Hockley Farm). Such examples fertilizer led to their decline are rare. After the Second World War, By the mid 19th century steam- with the coming of the combine During the 17th and 18th powered traction engines harvester, all the functions could centuries the rapidly increasing were coming into service and be performed in one operation. population coincided with the threshing fl oor fell into Many barns were converted considerable change in chalk permanent disuse. Travelling to accommodate grain drying downland farming practice. contractors would set up their plant which has helped to The large estates expanded and gear in the farmyard and thresh secure their survival. downland converted to arable the year’s stock of corn in use. Smaller landowners were one short operation. A farmer Arable farming in Hampshire unable to maintain sheep fl ocks could store un-threshed corn increased, particularly in the of suffi cient size to provide temporarily in an open rickyard downland areas, up to the time manure for fi elds. This period with conical roofs of thatch of the Napolenic Wars. After also saw the development and and throw it straight into the the war ended, grain prices fell increase in the use of water threshing machine. then rose again between 1815 meadows in river valleys. and 1836, creating prosperity Sheep were grazed on water As the 19th century progressed to many cereal farmers. The meadows by day and at night some barns were equipped with repeal of the corn laws and driven up to the arable fi elds stationary steam engines, sited import of cheap grain brought where they were ‘folded’ to in purpose-built brick engine economic depression to many manure and improve the poor houses with tall chimneys. arable farmers by the mid chalk soils. There is little survey information 19th century. In the south of on such structures, and in the county stock rearing and Despite the demise of the Hampshire this practice is dairying to supply the growing sheep/corn system in the limited to the larger estates. markets of Southampton

7 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire and Portsmouth took place. A fl ourishing market garden industry mainly in the south-east supplied the expanding London market which developed with the rapidly increasing railway system, and also supplied the naval dockyards of Portsmouth Harbour. During the 19th century, ‘modern’ farming methods were increasingly introduced to arable farming in Hampshire - particularly on the downland areas where more organised fertilization and manure production was associated with large farm units. Some of these farms later converted to dairying. The end of the 19th century and early 20th century marked MATERIALS a severe depression in rural Hampshire resulting in The vernacular tradition Early use of oak is abandoned farms, neglected in Hampshire is strongly characterised by straight and hedges, ditches, water infl uenced by the availability of well-squared material of large meadows systems and farm basic natural building materials. cross section. In later barns buildings, although the dairy the structural members are industry still fl ourished. Much of the county is founded smaller in size and can be less on chalk and open downland regular in shape with sapwood Urban expansion continued in predominates. The chalk and waney edges (particularly the inter-war period and since outcrops again in the south- the 1950s. In the 1960s some in rafters), indicating that east in the form of the long carpenters had to convert areas of the chalk countryside coastal ridge of Portsdown were lost to the GLC overspill smaller baulks of timber. For Hill. Elsewhere in the south it some early barns ‘cruck’ frames towns of Andover and is overlaid by deposits of sand Basingstoke. were constructed using curved and clay, with gravel in the river timbers meeting in pairs at the More of the county’s chalk valleys. The landscape changes downland has been turned to again in the north-east where the cultivation of cereal crops, greensand and clay intrude and and there has been a marked these subsoils continue down increase in the size of farm much of the eastern boundary. units. The geology and topography of Hampshire is discussed The general enlargement of further in section 7, Landscape farm units across the whole Character. county and the increase in mechanisation has led to In the Middle Ages, oak was the widespread redundancy the main building material of historic farm buildings of choice, and supply in apex of the roof. Although these for agricultural use, and in Hampshire was abundant. It provided clear fl oor areas and many cases the complete remained in common use for reasonable headroom they disassociation of farmsteads the framing of farm buildings depended on the availability of from agriculture. until the late 18th century. larger timber with grown bends. In Hampshire, only two known

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 8 examples of cruck framed grey colour, or in some cases Cob earth material was widely farm buildings survive and are limewashed. used in vernacular buildings, extremely important. typically in the New Forest, Some early timber framed barns Test Valley and, to a slightly Other hardwoods were – usually the more prestigious – lesser extent, in the districts of sometimes used, but oak have infi ll panels of wattle/daub Winchester and Basingstoke. was preferred for its superior or brick. This is particularly The further to the east, the rarer strength and durability. Frames so in the north-east part of the are surviving chalk or clay cob were set out on the ground county in Hart District and parts structures. (‘carpenters marks’ chiselled of Basingstoke where local brick into adjoining sections of timber making was more common. The cob walls were built up from to assist assembly), joints being a plinth base, usually of fl int held together using wooden Malmstone, a coarse sandstone or brick, and gained strength ‘pegs’. Timbers were frequently found along the eastern from their thickness. Openings re-used in new and adapted boundary with Sussex and most were kept to a minimum and farm buildings which explains commonly in East Hampshire gables avoided because of their the strange location of some District, was used in random or structural weakness. joint details and peg-holes. roughly squared rubble walling and is a distinctive feature of Cob buildings were often The most common form of historic farm buildings in the protected from the weather with walling was weatherboarding. area. There are no current lime renders or slurry, and had Early examples which survive commercial supplies of the to be regularly limewashed. are of oak or elm, of rectangular material available locally so it is They are particularly vulnerable sections (not ‘feather edged’) a rare and valuable resource. to wet conditions and so were and of substantial width. This commonly built with thatched would have originally been Limestone has been used in a roofs and deep overhanging fi xed into place with wooden few high status farm buildings, eaves to throw water well clear pegs or iron nails, the latter often salvaged from other of the wall. being available from the buildings. A fi ne example is the medieval period. Boarding was tithe barn near Titchfi eld Abbey. Their relative vulnerability means that it is important to conserve renewed piecemeal as and Flint is common and was used when necessary and resulted surviving examples, particularly extensively throughout the where farm holdings with cob in a characteristic patchwork county in chalk rich areas. As appearance – an important boundary walls are alongside with malmstone, it is often used roads and are at the centre of point to remember. Survival in conjunction with brick where of original boarding is very villages. They are a distinctive openings are formed and at the local part of the historic rural rare, and therefore of high corners of buildings. importance. scene.

Vertical oak boarding is rare, but sometimes encountered where it can be rebated into the frame and as such is important to retain.

Later, feather-edged boarding of elm or softwood, coated with coal tar, is probably the most common cladding material found in historic farm buildings in Hampshire, though originally the oak or elm boarding would have been left untreated to weather naturally into a silver/ An example of a 19th century flint, brick and slate farm building.

9 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire typical of Hampshire. This was a cost-effective method, using

Vulnerable cob wall alongside roadway.

readily available straw and low cost labour during the winter periods. Until the 17th and 18th centuries the use of clay tiles was restricted to the larger, more important, farm buildings but became increasingly into more general use during the Tithe barn at Old Basing, listed Grade I. period as the supply of tiles was more plentiful and they provided Excellent clay earths exist in a much longer life span with Hampshire and brick has been Roofi ng Material less maintenance than thatch. used for farm buildings in some areas (e.g. Basingstoke) since The roofs of traditional farm the 16th century. buildings are particularly important and form a distinctive Early use of brick for walling feature of villages, hamlets and is seen in the larger, more the wider landscape. The aisled important farm buildings such barn is an iconic feature across as the Tithe Barn at Old Basing Hampshire and its sweeping and at Palace Gate Farm at roof form is often the largest Odiham. and most dominant part of a farmstead. It was more usual in the 17th and 18th centuries for the precious brick to be used on Cob walls to barn clay tiled roof, thatched low plinth walls on which the capping to cob boundary wall. timber framed structure was constructed. Thatched farm buildings still survive in Hampshire, During the 19th century and particularly in the Test Valley, early 20th century there was an and are important characteristic increase in the use of brick in Aisled barn, large area of clay tiles. features of the local and wider farm buildings with mechanised The most common roofi ng landscape. The County Council brick production and improved material was thatch, with has worked with the Council transportation. It was widely longstraw thatch, using by- of Historic Thatch, (COHT) used, often in conjunction products of cereal production, Committee and the Institute of with fl int, in more planned being particularly suitable for Historic Building Conservation farmsteads in courtyard layouts, use on the hipped or half- (IHBC) in their efforts to with slate roofs or patent hipped roofs of farm buildings promote the retention of interlocking clay tiles.

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 10 19th century brick farm buildings with slate roof. traditional thatching; important DESIGN AND in maintaining local identity, and in terms of sustainability. This FORM OF FARM will result in the publication of BUILDINGS ‘Growing Straw for Thatching’. Timber framed barns By the late 18th century, and throughout the 19th In Hampshire there is a century, Welsh slate was remarkable lack of change in increasingly used, as were the design of timber framing patent interlocking clay tiles. Corrugated iron roof, Dummer village. from the 16th/17th century for a This followed improvements Though thatch continued to 200 year period. in transportation and their be widely used in the county distribution can be seen to be through the 19th century, infl uenced by proximity to water the high cost of repair of or rail transport. roof materials and periods of economic depression in the 20th century led to the re-covering of many former thatched or tiled roofs on farm buildings with corrugated iron sheeting. The tarred iron roof is now a familiar feature and is an effective means of protecting historic timber frames from rain penetration and decay.

It is lightweight, can accommodate irregularities in roof form and is visually Layers of historic longstraw thatch. pleasing. Late 18th century timber framed barn, queen strut roof trusses, straight braces.

11 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire Some late 18th century and more commonly 19th century brick walled barns used panels of pierced brickwork, often diamond shaped, formed by leaving gaps in the bonding.

18th century aisled barn under repair, queen post roof, curved braces. The most characteristic type of joint of the post, horizontal wall roof construction is the ‘queen plate, tie beam and principal Barn end on to road. Malmstone with brick post’ and ‘queen strut’ truss. In rafter. Jowls of later timber detail to ventilation slits. the 18th century ‘queen strut’ framed buildings of the 19th construction became more century are commonly narrower These are important features widely used, and the use of and more angular. which are distinctive of the ‘king post’ trusses in the 19th local tradition and should be century was common. (See As brick became more readily retained. glossary on page 3) available, the height of plinths increased and also provided a Timber framed barns relied on more substantial enclosure for heavy section oak sole plates, livestock and drier conditions sometimes laid directly onto the for the storage of cereal ground (particularly if this was products. It is thought that the chalk), but more commonly on increase in population of the top of a low brick plinth wall. brown rat also encouraged the The sole plate distributed the use of brick walling. weight and load of the vertical timber posts evenly to the ground. In brick walled barns the walls were built to wall plate level and Perforated brick ventilation panel in The importance the timber framed roof structure traditional 19th century flint and brick barn. of the sole-plate constructed above. With brick and plinth to built barns it is more likely for From early times, the length the structure the barn to be built with gabled of the barn was measured in of the barn is ends, with a pitched roof. Where ‘bays’, practical limitations on high as these the construction is fl int with the size of timber dictated the are commonly brick the roof is usually hipped. width or span of the building the fi rst parts and so greater capacity was to decay or Timber framed barns provided achieved by increasing the collapse. ventilation through gaps number of bays. between weatherboarded walls The top of the and through roof areas. Brick Smaller three or fi ve bay barns vertical post walled barns have ventilation had a single central entrance, widened to ‘slits’ – narrow vertical openings with larger seven bay barns and form a ‘jowl’ which will not allow rain above, usually having double which could penetration and which are entrances to provide a second accommodate splayed to allow greater air fl ow threshing fl oor and more area the complicated and natural internal lighting. for stacking corn.

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 12 Aisled barn, tiled roof, weatherboarded walls, half hip roof to cart entrance.

The main requirement in any The cart ‘exit’ opposite did not On earlier aisled barns with barn was the most economic usually have such a porch. thatched or clay tiled roofs enclosure of the maximum the steep roof pitch resulted possible fl oor area and volume. Generally, the aisles of barns in narrow aisles. Later barns were used for storage but were with slate roofs had lower In Hampshire, the ‘aisled’ barn sometimes fi tted out as stalls for pitched roofs which could allow is a particular characteristic cattle. Some rare examples of wider aisles to be formed, form – with the pitched roof use as pigsties also exist. though aisled barns were less extending beyond the main commonly constructed in the posts to provide additional 19th century. storage area. Aisles can be on one side, both sides, and at the In most cases aisled barns have ends of the barn. a fully hipped or half-hipped roof. Aisled barns are a particularly important feature in the Barn doors, constructed of landscape with large expanse vertical timber planks on a of roof sweeping down to low ledge and braced frame were walls of brick or more usually hung on iron hooks and could Aisled barn with brick and weatherboarded weatherboarding. walling. be lifted down to At the cart entrances it is common to have projecting canopies which both protected the threshing fl oor from driving rain and also allowed the last wagon of the day to be left under cover for unloading the next morning. These canopies are often additions to earlier buildings, and can incorporate small ‘dovecotes’. Threshing barn with later outshots (slate roof).

13 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire Granaries Although there are examples of granaries provided over the top of cartsheds and stables, typically of the later 19th century, the most common

Timber framed barn with outshots.. type in Hampshire is the free-standing timber framed structure. Usually this is square on plan, constructed on staddle stones to be clear of the Because of their size and ground, with weatherboarded construction, granaries have walls and a tiled or slate roof been particularly vulnerable – usually hipped. Sometimes to neglect, demolition and the height of the staddle stones salvage; the staddle stones varied to maintain a level fl oor being valued as decorative on sloping ground. The interior garden features. was plastered or timber lined with a boarded fl oor. Internal Barn on staddle stones. timber grain bins sometimes survive and should be retained provide working platforms, for wherever possible though example during sheep shearing. this restricts re-use for other Later doors used hinged iron functions. brackets. Variations which occur, Doors and fi xings, where they particularly in the north of the survive, should be retained. county, are infi lling of the timber The simple rectangular timber- frame with panels of brickwork framed barn with lean-to rather than weatherboarding. extensions called ‘outshots’ Typical Hampshire granary, staddle stones, was a common alternative in boarded walls, half hipped tiled roof. Hampshire to the true aisled form. Where stock was to be accommodated the outshot had the advantage of less restricted access with the absence of transverse post plates.

There are examples, notably in the Test Valley and northern parts of the county at the boundary with Wiltshire and

Berkshire, of large ‘staddle Rare surviving grain bins. barns’, where the threshing barn was supported on staddle Brick walled granary, rare in the county. stones , with no facility for a direct entry for a cart or wagon.

These are unusual and of considerable importance.

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 14 Dovecotes Pigeons and doves were kept in dovecotes or pigeon lofts for their meat and eggs.

The earliest are medieval, some of which have been designated scheduled ancient monuments. They occur in farmsteads across the county, typically of square or circular plan of stone or more usually brick or brick and fl int often lined with chalk block to incorporate nesting boxes. Brick nesting boxes in dovecote. Some larger barns incorporated As such their conservation in of hops, and hop kilns are dovecotes, or pigeon lofts, situ is important. Their re-use distinctive characteristic commonly in the porch over the is severely limited by their agricultural buildings of the cart entrance. form and size, so pro-active area. maintenance and repair is Cartsheds and shelter additionally vital to avoid loss. Typically in Hampshire the kiln sheds was square in plan, with walls of Oast houses/hop local malmstone or brick, with a drying kilns pyramidal roof with vent on top. Circular buildings with conical These occur towards the roofs are less common. eastern part of the county, notably in East Hampshire and Fires were lit in combustion Hart Districts. chambers below a wooden slatted fl oor on which the hops The soils in this area Timber framed cartshed, hipped tiled roof. were laid for drying. encouraged the growing During the 18th and 19th centuries, special buildings were being constructed for carts, wagons and large implements. Typically these were of rectangular plan, timber framed with an open front and with hipped roofs of tiles, or on later buildings slate or interlocking tiles.

Cart sheds were not provided with doors, spaces between the timber posts allowing for easy passage of vehicles, though sometimes one bay was divided off and provided with a door to store small implements.

They have a relatively good survival rate because of their Circular brick hop kiln, Hart District. adaptability for other uses

15 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire downland, “out farms” were built, with cattle providing manure to fertilize arable land.

It was not until the 19th century that purpose made cow houses and covered yards associated with dairy herds came into being. These structures are Piggeries at St Mary Bourne. typically of brick construction, sometimes with fl int, and tiled or such as general storage or for Cattle buildings slate roofs. Where yards were garaging, but where cartsheds covered to provide protection are located outside the main Records show that there were for livestock and to prevent rain farmyard they can be vulnerable medieval cattle houses in from leaching manure, the roofs to neglect. Hampshire, and though some were often of slate or, later in the cattle housing from earlier 20th century, corrugated iron. Piggeries periods survives, there is little Whereas cattle and hens evidence for the provision These covered yards are rare provided milk and eggs, pigs of accommodation for cattle until the early 20th century (in were kept purely for meat, and before the 19th/20th century. East Hampshire many small until the 19th century for the Barns did provide shelter for L and U shaped yards were family rather than for the market. cattle within farmyards, and covered over). Pigs were kept alongside the sometimes outshots on the Stables farmhouse and fed on domestic side of barns were constructed. Where shelters were provided in food waste or allowed to roam Stables on earlier farms were fi elds they were of poor quality freely, particularly in the New often incorporated in barns, or and only a few have survived. Forest. as outshots to barns. Especially on the downland The new urban population of areas, where farmsteads More specialist accommodation the Victorian period created a remained in villages after the was provided for horses, demand for pork and bacon, enclosure of open fi elds and particularly in the late 18th and which could be produced more 19th century. Many were built of cheaply than beef or mutton, brick, or fl int with brick used for and purpose built piggeries corners and around openings. were constructed, with a small house, open run and feeding Doors were provided, usually trough. split with lower and upper

Their limitations for adaptation to other uses has meant that most historic piggeries have fallen into disrepair, and our knowledge of their occurrence is poor. Where good examples have survived, their recording and/or retention is important.

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 16 HISTORIC FARM BUILDINGS - DATA The basic information on historic farm buildings is contained within the List of Buildings of Special Architectural and Historic Interest. This schedule of ‘listed buildings’ was compiled by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) under the 19th century brick and flint stables and cart sheds. advice of English Heritage. opening sections, vertically access track.This courtyard boarded. Inside the space was arrangement provided shelter As from April 2005 English divided by wooden partitions, for animals, usually cattle, Heritage is responsible for the and many incorporate upper with shelter sheds frequently updating and management of fl oors which enabled hay to added in the 19th century to the this statutory list of buildings/ be stored in the hayloft. Floors loose courtyard side of older structures. The designation were commonly of brick, or buildings. of the historic environment is stone setts to ease drainage under review but at present and the collection of manure. The more regular courtyard plan listed buildings are classifi ed On larger more prestigious farmstead with linked buildings into three grades I, II* and II farms and estates, separate ranged around a yard usually and the relevant legislation is tack rooms for storage of divided into two areas, was the Planning (Listed Buildings harness etc were provided, and the result of the application of and Conservation Areas) Act some had accommodation for ‘modern’ farming methods of 1990. Planning Policy Guidance stable hands. the late 18th and during the Note 15 guides how the Act 19th century. This refl ected the is applied by local planning Few stables survive with interior more organised management authorities. features intact, where they do particularly of cattle and manure their retention and/or recording production linked with arable. is important. Typical farmstead plan types Timber framed stables were mainly replaced by brick construction from the late 17th century onwards, refl ecting that horses were a valuable asset so good quality buildings were provided in contrast to those for cattle. Plan Form The most common ‘plan form’ of historic farmsteads in Hampshire is the loose courtyard type, with the farmhouse situated on one side of the yard, with barns, granary, and stables loosely arranged around the yard, with the cartshed next to an

17 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire viable uses farm buildings in the south-east sought region had been converted to for non- residential use by 2005. residential farm The criteria for listing all buildings. buildings meant that structures dating from after the mid 19th The century were rarely considered statutory to be of suffi cient merit for list of statutory protection. historic farm buildings Thus a signifi cant number of does not historic farm complexes which accurately contribute to the Hampshire 18th/19th century farm buildings/stables, unlisted, part of working farm. refl ect the landscape are both unrecorded The number of farm buildings current use of the buildings and unprotected. added to the ‘list’ increased or physical alterations which During the 1970s and 80s, signifi cantly during the 1980s have taken place, some with invaluable work was undertaken following a national resurvey ‘listed building consent’ and in the county by the then which concentrated on rural others where changes occurred Southampton University areas previously not looked at between the survey and the Industrial Archaeology Group in any detail. actual date of listing. (SUIAG), now the Hampshire Within Hampshire, listed Some buildings have been Industrial Archaeology Group. buildings which might be altered to such an extent included as ‘agricultural’ (such that their character no longer as barns, granaries, cowsheds warrants inclusion in the etc) produces a fi gure of over lists. Other, more sensitive, 1700 (excluding farmhouses). conversions have resulted in This represents approximately buildings which should still 13% of the total number of be protected from damaging listed buildings. Of this, the alterations, but whose change vast percentage of listed farm of function and detail design buildings are Grade II. 19 are must be noted and recorded in Grade I or II*. the list descriptions. This, however, presents a somewhat distorted picture of the actual situation ‘on the ground’. Not every potential historic farm complex was inspected. Also the resurvey was undertaken during a period of signifi cant change in the countryside with farm estates/ Residential conversion - still listed as an aisled barn. landholdings being fragmented. Many farmstead buildings were This will enable a more informed surplus to requirements and decision making process to unsuitable for modern farming protect the fast dwindling practices. stock of unaltered historic As a result, farmhouses and farm buildings. Research undertaken by the University of adjacent buildings were sold 19th/20th century farm buildings off as private houses and Gloucestershire estimates that alternative more economically over a third of listed historic

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 18 This has improved the data as such a barn with planning held in the County Council’s PLANNING consent for residential use may Archaeology and Historic POLICY AND be a valuable asset. Buildings Record (AHBR) which has also been augmented LEGISLATION In contrast, a listed barn which by information gathered is no longer of use as a farm from historic building grant Under the Planning (Listed building and has no other viable applications and surveys Buildings and Conservation economic use can be regarded undertaken by District Councils. Areas) Act 1990, proposals as an economic liability. which would affect the special Despite this, there is a need interest of listed farm buildings For example, thatched farm for further survey work to require listed building consent buildings are under particular be undertaken to properly threat, even where they are assess our existing historic and often planning permission listed and would require farm building stock. This is as well, (and usually building necessary to provide informed regulation approval) from the consent from the local planning decision making concerning local planning authority. authority for change to another proposals which affect the roofi ng material. character of our landscape and Also, buildings which were built Unlike thatched houses which rural farms and villages. before 1948 and are considered to be within the curtilage of command a market value, the Some Hampshire local planning a listed building (such as a thatched barn which in many authorities have carried out, or farmhouse) are also deemed to cases is used for general are considering undertaking, be listed. storage or garaging, presents pilot surveys of historic farm an ongoing maintenance liability buildings to ascertain the extent Some farm buildings, for which the owner can often of the problem. particularly if forming part of a see little economic justifi cation. village or larger market town, The recent pilot project for may lie within a Conservation Pressure on local authority English Heritage, ‘Historic Area and as such be subject fi nances has led to a steady Farmsteads and Landscape to additional planning control decline in discretionary grants Character in Hampshire’ with than normal, particularly over for repairs to historic buildings which Hampshire County demolition. across the county. Council has been closely involved has also highlighted Local planning authorities English Heritage has the need for increased are expected to undertake encouraged local planning information on the historic farm Conservation Area Appraisals authorities to undertake surveys building resource to enable which will identify if and how of historic buildings to ascertain better informed decision making historic farm buildings and those ‘at risk’ from neglect and to take place. As part of the features such as boundary decay. project the County Council walls contribute to the character has been able to identify and local distinctiveness of the locations and character the area. of farmsteads from historic mapping and incorporate the Many historic farm buildings, data into the Archaeology and more so than other types of Historic Buildings Record. listed buildings, are under particular pressure for change. Early conclusions from the pilot In Hampshire, and other study comparing the distribution relatively prosperous regions, of recorded farmsteads to there is considerable demand farmsteads identifi ed from for housing. Historic farm listed building data clearly buildings are often located shows the use of listed building in high quality landscape data alone to be unreliable settings, and on sites where when describing present day new development would not farmstead character. normally be permitted and Historic farm buildings at risk.

19 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire strategic planning and land use management.

Historic farm buildings often provide habitats for wildlife, some of which are legally protected such as all bat species and all nesting birds, e.g. house martins and barn owls. Any works which might cause disturbance to such species is covered by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and some are also offered additional protection under the provisions of The Habitat Regulations

Collapsed 19th century brickwork. 1994. Advice can be obtained from Natural England, which The extent of such surveys NE, which has established is the primary statutory nature is dependent on resources regional advisors for farmers, conservation body in England, available and historically has landowners and agents. (See and from the Wildlife Trust and understandably been limited to useful contacts at the end of the Bat Conservation Trust. listed buildings, if done at all. this document). The provision and enhancement Hampshire County Council The available resources are of habitats for wildlife may also has assimilated information targeted and one major criterion be considered for funding on historic buildings at risk is whether a historic farm through NE as part of its agri- since the mid 1970s and farm building or built feature such environment grant schemes. buildings have featured heavily as a boundary wall has been in such tables every year. identifi ed as being ‘at risk’. Conversion of farm English Heritage expects local buildings planning authorities to monitor As such, the importance of Buildings at Risk ( BAR ) in BAR surveys is signifi cant, and their area. should be extended to include, where possible, listed and It is important to remember that unlisted historic farm buildings historic farm buildings are not which are of local importance necessarily part of active farms, and where there is a lack of and that this trend continues information. This is particularly at a pace. relevant where the buildings are located on working farms and The relatively new agri- would be potentially eligible for environment schemes Barn converted to community use, visual repair grants via NE. impact of provision for disabled access. administered by Natural England (NE) include protection The Historic Farmsteads Much has been written and said of the historic environment as and Landscape Character in about the conversion of historic one of its primary objectives. Hampshire Pilot Project is a farm buildings, in particular to This includes historic farm fi rst stage in the development residential use, and the issue buildings and structures. of a policy framework by has been highlighted in English putting historic farm buildings Heritage’s ‘Heritage Counts Grants for repair of historic at a farmstead scale into 2005’ which focussed on the farm buildings where they their landscape context. English countryside. are still in agricultural use or This characterisation can be part of agricultural holdings used as a positive tool for Listed building legislation may be available through

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 20 under the Planning (Listed timber framed structures which or blacksmith. Brick piers have Buildings and Conservation are of inherent interest for the replaced bottom sections of Areas) Act 1990, in conjunction survival of the structural oak rotted timber posts and splits in with Government Guidance in frame and largely unsubdivided tie beams and wall plates have PPG 15 (under revision) can interior and simplicity of form, been held in place with iron and be used to determine the way can be successfully reused for steel straps, with the retention in which change of use can be stabling, vehicular repairs etc of most of the original historic controlled. where low cost investment can fabric. provide a useful building. The acid test is whether a All too often ‘conversions’ have building after conversion, Other, more long term uses, been tantamount to rebuilding, to whatever use, retains the usually require fundamental with sections of the original special architectural and/ change in the nature of building integrated into a or historic interest which the fabric of the building new design. warranted its ‘listing’. – insulation, heating and alterations often requiring Many ‘unlisted’ historic farm building regulation approval. buildings have survived, typically of mid to late 19th century, often of brick, or fl int and brick walling with tiled or slate roofi ng, and built for dairy farming or as stabling, as well as barns. These often have existing openings and are of a ‘domestic’ scale and layout, Late 19th century former oast house, part of historic farm group, new use but few whose external appearance external alterations. is valuable in terms of Residental conversion with few new openings. landscape character and local Too many conversions distinctiveness. undertaken in the 1980s and It is not uncommon for the cost 1990s have not survived this of alterations to be signifi cantly test. higher than repair cost of the There are some useful lessons to be learned from case studies in Hampshire; low key new uses, particularly in the case of

19th century farm buildings under conver- Large threshing barn converted to office sion, coursed flint panels, decorative brick use, minimal new openings. banding, ventilation slits and decorative structural ironwork. farm building. This is the case with most residential and

Large threshing barn converted to offi ce use, offi ce conversions. Perhaps open interior largely retained, long term future the most common problem secured, new roofl ights interrupt tiled roof. with the conversion of historic farm buildings has been the introduction of new openings into previously blank elevations and roof surfaces. Existing openings used. Historically, farm buildings have Such buildings may present been repaired and adapted opportunities for alternative Barns used for stabling horses, corrugated using simple techniques and iron roof, repairs to timber frame, simple uses – it is important to identify traditional skills of the carpenter character retained. features which must be retained

21 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire and to address issues of to achieve a setting in regard to associated satisfactory subdivision of farmyards and outcome, surface materials to ensure that and to essential characteristics are secure the retained during conversion. preservation of both listed The numbers of historic farm and unlisted buildings which have become historic farm redundant are large, and many buildings. more than is required for “low key” uses. Their landscape value needs to be considered when justifying their retention Forge - part of farmstead group still in blacksmith use. and/or conversion. Portsdown Hill, fringed by There is a potential for confl ict fertile brick earths, much between various Government LANDSCAPE of which has been lost guidance which relates to CHARACTER to urban expansion.The issues of historic building eastern boundary contains conservation, the rural a varied geology of sands, economy and diversifi cation Historic buildings are an gault clay, and upper and and sustainability (PPG 15, intrinsic part of the evolution lower greensands. This area PPS 7 and PPS 1). of our landscape and it is contains the chief source useful to outline the geology of of stone in Hampshire It must be the case that Hampshire. – malmstone, a coarse individual buildings and sandstone which occurs farmsteads are dealt with on A chalk belt runs south-east to mainly in East Hampshire their merits and that inevitably north-west across the county District. compromise may be necessary with downland dominating the character of much The New Forest to the of the landscape. south-west is a large Over lying the chalk expanse of heathland in some parts, but bordered to the west by particularly in the the fertile valley of the River east, is ‘clay with Avon, and to the south by fl ints’ – a loam or the coastal plain, a mixture clay-loam of variable of good quality loams and depth. To the north poorer sandy soils. and south of the chalk are regions The river valleys of the Test, Farm buildings converted to office use, edge of village location, form and materials retained, no new openings. of sands and clays the Itchen and the Meon forming part of the drain the main chalk area, Thames Basin and with the River Wey in the the Hampshire east and the Loddon in the Basin. Soil quality north-east. here varies from The lack of naturally sandy areas available building stone supporting little but (apart from limited heathland, to good supply of malmstone in quality agricultural the east) has resulted in land. timber framed buildings North of Portsmouth dominating the historic farm Historic buildings converted to office use, minimal is the chalk ridge of buildings across the county. alterations to exterior.

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 22 of NE targeting of fi nancial support. Each JCA has a statement which attempts to identify particular aspects of the environment in that character area for which attention may be directed. In the case of the historic environment, targeting statements invariably include buildings which are ‘at risk’. As has been mentioned this places an Historic farmstead on the Hampshire Downs. important emphasis on the quality and In particular the aisled barns advice, land management comprehensiveness of the with weather boarded walls and the targeting of resources Buildings at Risk surveys. are an iconic feature in the for many aspects of the Hampshire landscape. environment. It is important to distinguish between a local authority The Countryside Agency, (now NE uses these JCAs for their Buildings at Risk register (which part of NE) in conjunction with application of grant assistance includes all grades of Listed English Nature and English under the Higher Level Buildings) and the English Heritage, have created Joint Stewardship Agri-Environment Heritage national register Character Areas (JCAs) of schemes. which only refers to the small which there are 159 in England. The JCAs form the basis for percentage which are Grade These are being used as the policy planning affecting rural I, II* or Scheduled Ancient framework for the delivery of areas and are an integral part Monuments.

The Joint Character Areas which 129 cover Hampshire are: 120 Wealden Greensand 125 South Downs 132 130 126 South Coast Plain 120 128 South Hampshire Lowland 129 Thames Basin Heath 134 130 Hampshire Downs 128 125 131 New Forest 132 Salisbury Plain and West 131 Wiltshire Downs 126 133 Dorset Downs and Cranbourne Chase 134 Dorset Heaths

23 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire Fig A. Landscape Character Areas 5

1 Hampshire Downs BBasingstokeasingstoke 1 AAldershotldershot 2 Mid Hampshire Downs 1111 3 South Hampshire Downs AAndoverndover 1 4 Cranborne Chase 2 1 2 6 5 North Hampshire Lowland and Heath 2 1111 6 Western Weald Lowland and Heath 3 2 WWinchesterinchester 7 South Hampshire Lowland and Heath 3 3 7 8 New Forest Lowland and Heath 3 PPetersfietersfi eldeld 7 1111 9 New Forest Coast 4 3 7 10 South Hampshire Coast SSouthamptonouthampton

11 Avon, Test, Itchen and Meon 7 River Valleys 8 RRingwoodingwood 1100 1100 © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Hampshire County Council Licence Number LA076651/00/01 1111 9 PPortsmouthortsmouth

Some JCA historic environment maintaining diversity and local agri-environment funding and statements refer to specifi c farm distinctiveness. land management. building types, e.g. New Forest (granaries), and materials, Test For the purposes of this The following farmstead Valley (cob structures), East document, it is useful to Character Statements resulted Hampshire (malmstone). examine historic farm buildings from the English Heritage and farmsteads in relation to the pilot project analysis and In the context of Hampshire this eleven Hampshire Landscape discuss each Character Area may be more usefully defi ned Character Areas identifi ed in the context of historic farm in terms of local distinctiveness, in the County Council’s buildings. It is important to rarity, survival and vulnerability. “The Hampshire Landscape remember that the areas are Thus, thatched roofs, cob – a Strategy for the Future” loosely defi ned in terms of buildings/walls and malmstone document. Fig A shows the ‘boundaries’ and that adjacent buildings would all merit Character Areas, which are character areas merge with one targeted attention. assessed at a more detailed another in a subtle manner. level than the JCAs, which are The County Council regionally based. The four River Valley Character commissioned an assessment Areas have been discussed of Hampshire, covering the The Character Area analysis individually. historic and archaeological demonstrates both similarities aspects of the landscape. The and local distinctiveness of Historic Landscape Character historic farm buildings and Assessment was published farmsteads across the county, in 1999 and is a useful tool and as such provides support in understanding how the for the decision making historic landscape has evolved, process of strategic planning, what areas are vulnerable development control, and what is important in

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 24 disappeared, some that survive of brick or brick and fl int AREA 1 representing sites of shrunken construction, though the larger HAMPSHIRE DOWNS villages. estates show the early use of The agricultural history of this mass concrete. Farmsteads are often located area is closely linked with that of on the edge of villages and set The use of teams of horses in the mid and south Hampshire close to roads and are very this arable area is refl ected in downs with farming based prominent, as are those in the provision of stables. As on a sheep/corn system with isolated locations set on higher throughout the county the many large and valuable farms. ground. quality of housing for horses Evidence for medieval fi eld was higher than for other systems is limited to areas The dominance of arable and immediately surrounding small the large size of the holdings villages, a large proportion of has resulted in relatively large the open fi elds and downland farmsteads, with often two or being enclosed by agreement three timber framed aisled in the 17th and 18th centuries. barns being provided. These Records from the 19th century are typically of 5 – 6 bays, but show that the eastern part of barns of up to 9 bays or just 3 the area (Basingstoke to Alton) bays are not uncommon. By the had a greater proportion of 19th century, most farmsteads arable and fewer sheep than the had courtyard plans, often animals and examples from the western part. There is evidence loosely arranged. Some smaller 16th century survive, though of watermeadows in the Bourne farms (notably in the north west) most date from the 18th and valley. adopting an L-shaped plan. 19th century, often of brick or brick and fl int construction. The presence of some large estates within the area where As previously mentioned, timber ‘modern’ farming practice of framed weatherboarded barns the 19th century is evident. As are distinctive features of many is typical throughout the county, farmsteads, often aisled on the farmhouse is usually at least one side with large sited away from the yard, area of roof sweeping down to occasionally set at right angles low walls, sometimes wholly to it, with gable end on to the or partly of brick. Traditionally yard. thatched roofs of long straw Settlements are mostly with fl ush ridge and sparred nucleated in the villages lying The importance of cereal eaves are particularly important in the river valleys of the Test production is refl ected in the in the west of the area in the and Itchen. Away from these, provision of granaries – mostly Bourne valley. Many roofs have small villages and hamlets are of timber frame on staddle been replaced with tile, slate or scattered across the area in stones, boarded with louvred corrugated iron sheeting. The sheltered dry valleys and more window openings for ventilation. use of brick was more common exposed ridge top locations. Roofs are typically half-hipped. from the 18th century, and by the 19th century timber framing Many isolated farmsteads of Most cattle rearing was carried had been replaced almost probably medieval origin have out in the river valleys – where housing for cattle existed in the totally by brick or brick and area it is usually a later addition fl int for farm buildings. Smaller to existing buildings, open farm buildings of cob survive fronted shelters facing on to on some farmsteads and for a yard, or part of 19th century boundary walls. This is most re-organisation refl ecting evident in the north-west of increasing dairy production or the area. fattening These were typically

25 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire bay barns a feature of village centres. Later 19th century barns are often multifunctional, incorporating cartshed, stables and stores.

Granaries, usually timber framed and weatherboarded on staddle stones are common, some larger of two storeys in places. Later planned farmsteads on larger estates often have granaries incorporated into one of the ranges, usually above a cartshed. These also include buildings for cattle, which on Flint wall with tile capping. earlier farmsteads in village locations tend to be open Boundary walls in and around There are few isolated fronted shelters attached to farmsteads are typically of fl int farmsteads in the area, typically older buildings facing the yard. and brick or cob with thatched dating from the late 18th or tile cappings and add to the and 19th century relating to Stables, many dating from the distinctive character of villages enclosure of open fi elds or 18th century occur on many and the landscape. downs; often prominent features farmsteads and are a refl ection alongside roads and in longer of the importance of the use of horses for use on arable AREA 2 views across the landscape. farms. Brick and clay tile was MID HAMPSHIRE Dominance of arable farming commonly used from the 18th DOWNS and large farm size results in century for these and other large farmsteads, commonly farm buildings, and widespread This area forms part of the forming a courtyard plan by the in the 19th century, often in central chalk belt historically 19th century. Few examples fully conjunction with fl int. Chalk renowned for sheep/corn enclosed the yard – the smaller cob was used for smaller farm farming. From the 18th century farmsteads being typically L - buildings. downland was brought into shaped plan with barn, stables, arable use, the farms being cartshed and granary. Straw thatch was the traditional amongst the largest and roofi ng material but has been wealthiest in Hampshire. Isolated farmsteads replaced on many buildings demonstrate more formal plan with tile, slate or corrugated Main settlement areas lie within forms incorporating ‘modern’ sheeting. The roof form of smaller tributary valleys of the 19th century farming practice timber framed aisled barns River Test where most early – several showing E-plan being a feature of the downland farmsteads were located. Some layouts. areas with semi or fully hipped villages, such as Grateley, roofs. lie in more open locations in Arable farming is refl ected in undulating landscape. the size and number of barns Boundary walls to farmsteads on many farmsteads – often up are typically of fl int and brick or There are many historic to three provided, typically of chalk cob with thatched or tile farmsteads along the valley of 5 – 6 bays, timber framed and capping, the latter a distinctive the Wallop Brook. Though few weather boarded and aisled and vulnerable feature. remain in agricultural use they on at least one side. Some form prominent features in the larger barns of up to 11-bays, villages. Barns are often sited and occasionally staddle barns alongside roadways. are found, and small 3 or 4

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 26 Often two or three threshing barns exist typically of 5 bays, though larger (up to 9 bays) and smaller (3 bays) are not uncommon. In many cases barns were enlarged as grain production increased in the 18th and 19th centuries, and staddle barns survive on some farms.

Granaries are present in many farmsteads, often free standing timber framed and weather boarded. Housing for cattle Large threshing barn, thatched roof, tiled cart entrances. where present usually consists of low open fronted shelters river valley area which cross facing on to a yard, a later AREA 3 the area (exceptions being addition to an existing building. SOUTH HAMPSHIRE Owslebury and Hambledon). DOWNS There are hamlets and isolated As with other chalk downland farmsteads of medieval origin. areas, arable dominance required teams of horses and Historically a sheep/corn Farmsteads are located within stables are provided on many farming area with many large the villages and in isolated farmsteads usually in good valuable holdings. The area positions in the undulating quality buildings often of brick west of the River Test retains downland landscape. Both or fl int and brick dating mostly a more wooded character are prominent, in villages set from the 18th or early 19th and there is more evidence of close to roadways, and where century. Also common to other fi elds created from woodland isolated on higher ground being downland areas, the wealth clearance (assarting) than visible in more distant views. elsewhere in the area. of farms is demonstrated in Again, farmsteads display plans farmhouses, many of which There are few villages in typical of the arable dominance were enlarged, refaced in brick the area, particularly in the and relative size of holdings, or totally re-built in the 18th or central section to the east with large groups of buildings early 19th century. Some large of Winchester, and most are arranged round the yard on farms were provided with walled smaller than those of the three sides by the 19th century. gardens giving greater

27 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire separation from the working farm. Such gardens could incorporate features such as summer houses or gazebos.

As across all the county, most pre 19th century farm buildings are of timber framed construction, usually weather boarded. At the western and southern edge of the area brick farm buildings of the 18th century are more common being close to areas of brick and tile making industries. By the mid 19th century, brick or brick and fl int construction was used for nearly all farm buildings. Some small buildings Tithe barn - rubble stone and brick walling, cob walls to farm yard. were constructed from cob, with The area shows relatively few relatively common, as are brick a lime render or slurry coat, and isolated farmsteads, mostly of and fl int buildings with slate and of particular interest is the use 18th and 19th century, with the tiled roofs of the 19th century. of malmstone in the area south oldest farmsteads located in of Petersfi eld, often appearing village centres, with medieval There is some evidence of as the plinth wall of timber barns surviving on manor farms housing for cattle in the form framed barns or for smaller farm at Rockbourne and Damerham. of open shelter sheds facing buildings. yards, and many farmsteads By the 19th Century, most have stabling. Roof covering was traditionally farmsteads were of courtyard straw thatch, which has been plan with buildings ranged As fewer barns are aisled, roof replaced with clay tile, slate round three sides of the yard, forms are not usually hipped and corrugated sheet on though many are L shaped but half-hipped or gabled. most buildings. Roof forms consisting of barn, stables, Traditional thatch has typically are typically half hipped or cartshed and granary. been replaced with tile or slate fully hipped – a particularly or corrugated iron/steel sheet, characteristic of aisled barns The importance of arable is though several larger barns refl ected in the size and number would have originally been AREA 4 of barns on farmsteads, most provided with tiled roofs from CRANBORNE CHASE are of 5 bays, but many were the 18th century. increased in the 18th and 19th centuries up to 9 bays. Some smaller farm buildings are of chalk cob construction This character area shares Granaries are typically timber which is also used for boundary features with those of the framed on staddle stones, walls to farmsteads particularly central Hampshire chalk belt, though as is less common in in the villages of Damerham and with farming based on sheep other parts of the county several Rockbourne, with distinctive and corn. Villages and sites of brick granaries are found. thatched or tiled cappings. farmsteads lying in the valleys Other boundary walls are of small chalk streams and Though timber framed barns of brick or brick isolated farmsteads on the do occur on farmsteads, few and fl int. downs, most villages are linear, are fully aisled, and the oldest though Damerham is polyfocal, barns are stone built, refl ecting with several distinct areas of the proximity to Dorset. Brick settlement often focussed on farm buildings dating from the a farmstead. 18th century onwards are also

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 28 agriculture practised with century, brick with tiled roofs. AREA 5 barns, granaries, stabling and In the north west part, some NORTH HAMPSHIRE cattle housing. Plans vary farmsteads specialising in horse LOWLAND AND HEATH from dispersed to U-shaped breeding led to the construction enclosing a yard. In contrast, of large stable blocks. An area of heavy clay soils and the farmsteads of the larger There is more use of tile for sandy heath, historically well- estates demonstrate more historic farm building roofs than wooded, extensive areas of planning and greater investment downland areas, though straw woodland subject to clearance to conform to ‘modern’ farming thatch was traditionally used. or assarting by the 14th century. methods of the 19th century. Corrugated steel sheet has Capable of arable production, Timber framed barns, typically replaced traditional materials though the eastern part towards of 5 – 6 bays, weatherboarded on many buildings. The aisled Aldershot/Farnborough is with roofs tiled, thatched barns result in fully or half- unproductive heath. (rare) or covered with slate or hipped roof forms. corrugated sheet are common, Boundary walls to farmsteads though the clays are commonly of brick, or brick available in the and fl int, where the area borders area has resulted the chalk downland. in a greater number of earlier brick AREA 6 buildings than in WESTERN WEALD the central chalk LOWLAND AND HEATH area to the south. Important brick A complex and varied landform, barns dating from the range of soil types Free standing granary, timber framed on staddle stones. the 16th century resulting in mixed farming occur in the and a wide range of size of The area supported a sheep/ Basingstoke and Odiham area farms. Particularly important corn system of farming, and those of the 18th and 19th is the growing of hops from and more fattening of cattle century are quite common. Flint the late 17th century and the and dairying than the chalk is used where the area borders availability of greensand and downland to the south. Farms the chalk downland. malmstone (the only major area are generally small, though Free standing granaries, timber of Hampshire with local stone there are some large estates framed on staddle stones, available for building) – factors including Highclere, Stratfi eld usually weatherboarded but which infl uence the local Saye, The Vyne and Elvetham. also with brick infi ll panels, are distinctiveness of historic farm The area has a relatively common, but smaller than other buildings in this area. dispersed settlement pattern character areas where grain Farmsteads are a prominent with a number of small villages, production was greater. feature of most of the villages more common in the east of Open fronted shelter sheds and hamlets – often close to the the area. Much settlement is in for cattle are a more common village street. hamlets, often clustered around feature than on the chalk small areas of common. downland areas – often of Historic farmsteads found in timber frame or brick with tiled small villages and hamlets are roof they can be confused with a prominent and distinctive cartsheds – normally sited feature of the area. alongside a track and not always part of the yard. They are typically small with buildings refl ecting the mixed Many farmsteads have stables, usually of 18th and 19th Malmstone used in buildings and boundary walls.

29 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire Less dependence on arable The area displays a particularly farming in the area results in large number of aisled barns smaller barn sizes generally with fully hipped or half of 3 and 5 bays (usually of hipped roofs. As is the case 18th century with a few earlier throughout the county, straw examples), though some larger thatch has been replaced by barns exist in the best arable tile and corrugated iron/steel parts of the area. of many farm buildings though the presence of a brick and Granaries are less common tile industry in the area from than in other mainly arable parts the 15th century led to clay of Hampshire – those existing Malmstone boundary walls. tile being used on the larger typically timber framed and important farmsteads from the The many farmsteads scattered boarded on staddle stones, medieval period. across the landscape linked though some brick granaries are found. by narrow twisting lanes are a AREA 7 small proportion of those which Hop kilns are characteristic SOUTH HAMPSHIRE did exist (related to smaller of the area, of mainly square LOWLAND AND HEATH farms and small holdings). plan though several circular A wide range of farmstead buildings survive. Often built of An undulating landscape based plans refl ect the variety of locally available malmstone – a on clays and sands containing farm sizes. Small farms would distinctive pale cream / green/ the former Royal Forest of typically have a farmhouse with grey colour – and brick. Bere and infl uenced by the one or two multi-functional farm Despite the locally available conurbations of Southampton, buildings. The larger farms had stone, the use of timber frame Eastleigh, Portsmouth and a greater range of buildings predominates, as is the case Havant. The river valleys of the which are dispersed around across the county. The stone Test, Itchen and Meon divide the yard – sometimes around was used more for plinth walls the area. a road junction or on opposite to barns, or for smaller farm There were many small farms sides of a road. L-shaped plans buildings such as stables. are a common feature, with in the area by the early 19th U-shaped plans used where a By the mid 19th century the century, with the expanding higher level of farm planning is use of timber farming had been urban areas to the south evident. replaced by brick, or brick and encouraging the development fl int construction. of market gardening and the growth of dairy farming. Railway development saw produce grown for an increasing London based market, particularly for fruit.

The area shows a higher degree of dispersion particularly in the west where scattered farmsteads predominate. The numerous woodlands and hedgerows limit wider views and farmsteads, set close to roads are often viewed from close quarters where the visual impact of dereliction or conversion is great.

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 30 river, fi elds were developed from woodland and farmsteads exist, usually based on a loose courtyard plan.

The low level of arable production results in a few small barns, typically of just 3 bays, with most buildings on the larger farmsteads relating to cattle housing.

Few traditional timber framed and weatherboarded farm buildings exist, most surviving buildings being of brick construction. Cob was used New Forest Lowland and Heath brick granary, shelter shed: roofing of patent clay tiles, corrugated iron, slate. for some farm buildings, often left unrendered, with rough Medium to large farmsteads Tile, slate and corrugated iron/ timber planking and corrugated typically contain a range of steel has replaced traditional iron sheeting on other small buildings by the 19th century thatch on many farm buildings, buildings. Roof coverings on organised around a yard often with the aisled construction the larger farm buildings are of L or U shaped plan. Also emphasising the expanse of commonly of clay tile, slate or several small farmsteads occur, roof and low eaves. corrugated iron/steel. especially those based on dairy with only one or two buildings. Boundary walls in and around The poor quality of the farmsteads are commonly built buildings and vulnerability Though mostly wood-pasture, of brick. especially of cob structures, the area had some arable combined with the ‘tidying up’ farming where barns of up to 10 AREA 8 of the fashionable New Forest, bays can be found, though the NEW FOREST has resulted in historic farm majority are of 3 to 5 bays, and LOWLAND AND HEATH buildings in this area which aisled on at least one side. do survive being particularly Granaries less common, usually The area is based on acidic threatened. timber framed and boarded sands, clays, gravels and on staddle stones. Many waterlogged bogs and mires AREA 9 farmsteads have buildings for with very poor agricultural NEW FOREST COAST cattle, usually 19th century open quality. Smallholders used fronted sheds along one or two common right in the Forest sides of the yard. Stables and to practise a wood-pasture This area shares many cartsheds are found on many economy keeping pigs, beef characteristics of the Avon farmsteads. Few buildings cattle, horses and ponies. Valley – fi eld size and for pigs have survived due to importance of arable farming. This relative agricultural their scale and limits for re-use The Cistercian abbey at poverty is refl ected in the through some 19th century brick Beaulieu with its large and few farmsteads, though the built examples many survive. prosperous estate infl uenced large number of smallholders the south-east part signifi cantly, As elsewhere, timber framed meant that most cottages were with remains of prestigious structures with weatherboarded farmhouses. Few buildings stone built barns surviving at walls dominate historic farm were needed, mostly of poor locations such as St Leonard’s. buildings, though the brick and construction and have not tile industries from the 18th survived. Along the western Settlements are mostly century provided materials for edge, the north-east corner dispersed, with isolated some farm structures. and alongside the Beaulieu farmsteads, a few small hamlets

31 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire AREA 10 SOUTH HAMPSHIRE COAST

An area of brick earths, marine clays and silts supporting cereal production, cattle, dairying, pig keeping and market gardening. From the 13th century the area was dominated by urban market centres at Fareham, Gosport, Portchester, Emsworth, Havant, Portsmouth and Titchfi eld (in the Meon Valley). West of the Meon valley, large monastic estates are found at Netley, Hamble-Le- Beaulieu brick. Rice and Titchfi eld Abbey. and villages. Farmsteads set in Brick was commonly used Urban encroachment has isolation, sometimes clustering for farm buildings from the removed much of the best to form a small hamlet, and are 18th century, replacing timber agricultural land with only generally larger with greater framing by the 19th century. fragments of its landscape prominence than the adjacent Particularly important for local remaining. To the west of the lowland and heath. 19th century distinctiveness is the use of area along the River Hamble, planned farmsteads often not “Beaulieu brick” a yellow/pale small enclosures with areas of containing a threshing barn. grey brick from local clays woodland survive. In the east, which features in many farm Farmstead plans are generally farmsteads lie mostly within buildings in the area. loose courtyard with L and U villages and where not engulfed shape being typical. A model Thatch, though traditionally by urban expansion, continue to farm complex on the Beaulieu used for roofi ng is rare, most be important visual features. Estate is a rare example in the roofs being covered with plain Larger farmsteads are located county. clay tile, slate, interlocking in the east of the area, typically tiles or corrugated iron/steel Arable farming was important with a loose courtyard plan sheeting. and this is refl ected in most with one or two larger barns. pre 19th century farmsteads dominated by a threshing barn. Unlike other parts of the county, aisled barns are relatively rare, most have half-hipped roofs.

Free standing granaries usually timber framed and weather boarded occur on farmsteads. Cow houses found on most farms, with some having open fronted shelter sheds facing the yard, or lean to “outshots” to earlier barns. Cartsheds and stables of 18th and 19th century on many farmsteads.

Barn/granary, Hayling Island.

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 32 These may be up to nine bays, at Bournemouth and Timber framed granaries, with timber framed and aisled on Southampton. boarded walls appear, mostly at least one side. To the west, in the north of the area; stables, small farmsteads display more The presence of some cartsheds and shelter sheds L - shaped plans, with smaller large estates resulted in the for cattle dating from the 19th barns of three to fi ve bays. development of watermeadows century are found on many which are a distinctive feature farmsteads. Granaries are free standing, of the area. Structures including timber framed and boarded, sluices, hatches and bridges on staddle stones. still survive.

Thatch has been the traditional Farmsteads are dispersed, material for roofi ng farm villages not strongly nucleated, buildings, though tile has with the market towns of been available from the Fordingbridge and Ringwood medieval period. Tile, slate and lying at the important crossing corrugated sheet has replaced points of the river. thatch on most farm buildings. Barn with animal shelter. Large estates farmed the best Cob walling is evident in some Boundary walls to most land along the valley, with a high smaller buildings and for farmstead are constructed of proportion of the poorer quality boundary walls. By the mid- brick. land comprising of many small 19th century brick had taken holdings. over as the main material for AREA 11 Most farmsteads were courtyard farm buildings, sometimes used RIVER VALLEYS/ plan, of L or U shape. 19th with fl int. AVON century planned farmsteads of Most roofs of traditional thatch the 19th century predominate. The Avon Valley was largely have been replaced with an area of corn production Farmsteads located close to tile, slate, interlocking tile or combined with cattle rearing the river show the importance corrugated iron/steel sheeting. of arable, barns sometimes of 9 from the 17th century, though Boundary walls are mostly of bays being present, most are of some areas of pasture and brick construction, some of cob 3 or 5 bays, timber framed with heath supported sheep still survive and are of particular boarded walls, aisles being less and pigs. Dairy production importance. developed in the 19th century common than in other areas. providing markets 19th century L-shaped stables and open fronted animal shelter.

33 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire AREA 11 RIVER VALLEYS/ THE TEST

As with the Itchen and Meon Valley, the Test Valley character is a refl ection of adjacent character areas.

The chalk downland and sheep/ corn farming also encouraged development of watermeadows during the 17th and 18th centuries – a characteristic feature of the chalk valleys. Further south, the valley lies Bridge and sluice structure, Itchen watermeadows. within the Lowland and Heath character area with smaller 10 bays and smaller of 3 are fi elds and isolated farmsteads. also found. AREA 11 RIVER VALLEYS/ Free standing timber framed In the chalk area to the north, THE ITCHEN farmsteads are located in the weatherboarded granaries, are found on most farmsteads with linear villages, mostly alongside The upper part of the Itchen roadways and are particularly stables, usually dating from the 18th and 19th century of brick valley is bounded by chalk prominent. Further south downland with sheep-corn towards Romsey the wider, construction or brick and fl int with tiled or slate roofs. farming dominating historically, fl atter valley is predominantly with watermeadows developing water meadow. Roofs are usually fully or half- in the valley during the 17th Most farmsteads are of hipped, the traditional thatched and 18th century forming a courtyard plan, unconnected roofs to barns surviving better characteristic feature in the buildings ranged around 2 or than in other areas of the landscape. Historic structures 3 sides of the yard. Few fully county, though many have been including sluices, hatches enclosed the yard, with smaller replaced with tile, or corrugated and bridges relating to the farms based on L -shape plan iron/steel sheeting. watermeadows still survive, though under threat from with barn, stables, cartshed Many small farm buildings and and granary. Some farmsteads dereliction and neglect. In boundary and farmyard walls the southern part of the valley, completely rebuilt in the 19th are constructed of cob – a century, incorporating ‘modern’ adjacent to the Lowland distinctive feature of the area, and Heath character area farming practice but not true the walls often with thatched model farms. the landscape is markedly or tile cappings. Brick or brick different; small fi elds created Arable farming of the adjacent and fl int boundary walls to from woodland clearance and downland is refl ected in the farmsteads are also commonly subject to the expansion of size and number of barns on found. Eastleigh and Southampton. many farmsteads. Most date from the 18th century, often two provided, some on staddle stones. Typically of 5 bays and aisled on at least one side, though larger barns of up to

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 34 Where the valley runs through the chalk area, settlements are concentrated in linear villages, with higher density. Several large villages exist south of Winchester. Between Eastleigh and Southampton there are just a few isolated farmsteads.

The oldest farmsteads are located in the valley settlements, with buildings sited close to roadways and prominent. Water meadows are present and a particular feature of the valley where it passes through the lowland area. 18th century aisled barn, brick wall, ventilation slits, cart entrance.

Farmsteads of courtyard plan Market gardening in the ranged round two or three AREA 11 area supplied produce for sides of the yard, smaller RIVER VALLEYS/ Southampton, Portsmouth farms having an L-shaped THE MEON and the Royal Navy victualling plan containing barn, stables, yard at Gosport. Apart from the granary and cartshed. Barns are As with the Test and Itchen market towns of Wickham and typically of 5 bays, though 3 bay river valleys, the upper part of Titchfi eld, settlement is limited and up to 10 bays also occur. the Meon valley is infl uenced to isolated farmsteads. Most are timber framed and by the chalk downland to aisled, many on three or four Most farmsteads in the area either side with sheep/corn sides, with fully hipped roofs. are of courtyard plan by the farming and the development of 19th century, with unconnected watermeadows in the 17th and There are few buildings for buildings around two or three 18th centuries. To the south, cattle – usually open sheds of sides of the yard. Few are fully the valley is fl anked by the 19th century date. enclosed. Some farmsteads South Hampshire Lowland and within the valley were wholly Stables are of brick, or brick Heath, with small irregular fi elds rebuilt in the 19th century with fl int with tile or slate roofs. created by woodland clearance incorporating ‘modern’ farming from the 14th century and small Roofs were traditionally practices. regular fi elds from the enclosure thatched, though some larger of heath and common. barns used tiles from the The importance of arable Settlements are concentrated in medieval period. Most roof farming is refl ected in the size linear villages close to the river coverings are now of tile, and number of timber framed with some medieval farmsteads. slates, or corrugated iron/ barns on many farmsteads in both the downland part of steel sheeting. Most are half The Meon fi nally passes the valley and further south. – hipped, or fully hipped where through the South Hampshire Farmsteads with two or three aisled on all sides. Coast Area, retaining its rural barns are common, typically of character despite having large Farmstead boundary walls are 5 bays, aisled on at least one urban areas to either side. typically of fl int and brick, or side and often on three or all This part of the valley has been chalk cob with thatched or tile sides. Larger barns of up to infl uenced by the presence of cappings. 9 bays lie within the southern Titchfi eld Abbey and Park, and part of the valley. Roofs are 17th century reclamation of half-hipped or fully hipped, the estuary and canalisation of thatch being replaced by tile or a branch of the river as far as corrugated iron/steel sheet on Titchfi eld. most farm buildings.

35 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire There are free standing timber framed granaries on many farmsteads, usually weatherboarded with tiled or slate half-hipped roofs. Some cattle rearing was carried out in river valleys – there are some 19th century shelter sheds opening on to yards. Stables of brick or brick and fl int walls with tiled or slate roofs dating from the 18th and 19th centuries typically survive on some farmsteads.

Brick and brick and fl int is evident in farmbuildings in the area, with a few small chalk buildings surviving in the north Unless emergency repairs are carried out, this barn will soon be in danger of collapse. part of the valley. successfully used straw bales to to the structure with tarpaulins act as temporary support under or lightweight sheeting. This Farmstead boundary walls are tie beams in a listed barn at risk, may require listed building of brick, brick and fl int with a with the advice of a structural consent from the local planning few chalk cob walls surviving, engineer. authority. with thatched or tiled cappings. On many early timber framed buildings the timber cill beam ADVICE AND was laid directly onto the REPAIR ground, which can lead to the decay of this and the bottom of vertical oak posts. When owners are faced with problems associated with In some cases this has been historic farm buildings either replaced with short brick or due to disrepair or redundancy, concrete piers, a rough and it is important to seek advice Straw bales used for emergency propping ready solution, but which was at an early stage from local of roof trusses. practical and cost effective and authorities conservation Frequently, the roofi ng material extended the life of the building, offi cers, architects, surveyors may be failing because of and contractors who have corrosion of fi xings of tiles or experience of historic buildings. slates, or the battens attached Where the future of a historic to the rafters. To avoid loss farm building is uncertain of historic material it may be and there is a danger of practical to salvage the roof further deterioration and material and provide protection potential collapse it is vital that an assessment is made on necessary works to be undertaken.

Temporary props or scaffold can be used to support timber frames, which have failed. A recent ‘pioneering’ project in Basingstoke District has Concrete at base of timber post.

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 36 excessive water penetration at wall bases and at the top. Where there has been failure in roofi ng material on a cob wall or building, immediate action must be taken to stop further water ingress until proper repairs can be undertaken. Rainwater must be shed well clear of cob wall surfaces. Similarly, the base of cob walls must be protected from saturation by preventing build up of soils/debris and by good local land drainage systems.

Water penetration - decay of wall plate and rafters. which may otherwise have may have occurred early in the collapsed. More appropriate life of a building when the wood ‘scarfi ng-in’ of replacement was still ‘green’ is not still active. Brick plinth requiring repair, lime-based timber sections is always a Timbers can lose quite a large mortars must be used. future long-term option. proportion of the original section Repairs to historic masonry, but still provide structural On most barns the timber cill stone, brick and fl int, should be support. Where decay has beam or sole plate is laid on a undertaken using lime-based resulted from the ingress of solid low brick plinth wall, which mortars, which allow fl exibility water, it is usually better to keeps the structure dry. The in the structure and the wall to provide additional structural plinth wall rarely had much of a ‘breathe’. Hard cement-based support than to completely foundation, particularly if laid on mortars and renders must not replace historic fabric unless it chalk base, and local ground be used as they will accelerate is totally decayed. subsidence caused by poor decay of historic masonry, apart drainage can allow distortion of ‘Honest’ practical repairs using from any aesthetic reasons. the frame to rotate and collapse iron/steel plates and straps to Rainwater goods, where fi tted, the plinth wall. The frame has deal with cracked or split timber should be regularly checked to be supported, taking loading members have been used in for proper functioning. Water off the vertical posts, and cill the past and are still effective in must be prevented from pouring beams and the wall repaired. extending the life of a building down walls. Although rainwater at low cost. goods are not traditional to Timber members were often many farm buildings, they can over-designed, and decay from Cob buildings and structures be a useful addition to prevent rot and insect damage which are especially vulnerable to water penetration and damage. Where listed buildings are concerned advice should be sought from the conservation offi cer.

Hampshire County Council has published advice notes on historic building repair also available on it’s web site at: www.hants.gov. uk/environment/historic-environment/ Corrugated steel sheeting has protected Cob farm wall vulnerable at top and the timber queen strut roof frame. bottom.

37 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire Key Characteristics

Guidelines and Conclusions

Threshing Barns • Retain cart-entrances and porches – in particular local • Typically of timber framed detail e.g. provision for doors construction – retain timber / pigeon lofts. frame and avoid sub division of interior where possible.

Granaries • Typically separate, freestanding timber framed structures set on staddle stones, weather boarded walls, or brick (occasionally wattle/ daub or rendered) • Where aisled construction infi ll panels. Usually with with large area of roof half hipped or more rarely and low eaves retain fully – hipped roofs of uninterrupted roof form, avoid clay tile, slate, corrugated roof lights etc particularly on iron and occasionally the most visible (e.g. road weatherboarded. side) elevations. • Walls commonly weather boarded with blank elevations. Retain original wide boarding where possible and avoid new openings, particularly on most visible elevations.

• Where brick construction avoid new openings and retain existing features such as ventilation slits, perforated brickwork, decorative brickwork e.g. use of glazed blue ‘headers’ to create patterns.

• Barns incorporating • Commonly of one storey but local materials such as two storey structures are also malmstone or cob are found. • Retain historic roof coverings especially important to local – particularly long straw distinctiveness and may • Ventilated window openings. thatch, clay tiles, slate. represent irreplaceable • Granaries also provided historic features. • Corrugated iron sheeting is above other farm buildings a perfectly acceptable roof • Retain extensions / outshots – typically cart sheds. covering and will protect which indicate adaptation for • Retain in existing location. historic timber frames. use such as cattle shelters .

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 38 • Retain simple roof form • Cartshed may have one bay and cladding, particularly with doors for storage of farm original boarding and unusual implements. Cattle shelter examples e.g. use of vertical may have feeding trough tongue and grooved boarding. along rear wall.

• Retain simple roof form – typically hipped construction.

• Retain open front and existing features such as doors to implement stores, feeding • Retain staddle stones troughs to rear of cattle shelters. • Where brick or brick and fl int construction avoid new Stables openings. • Stables of timber frame, and • Retain surviving features – of brick, brick and fl int, and particular importance are malmstone construction. internal surviving features • Openings for doors and • Typically of weatherboarded such as grain bins, ladders. windows / haylofts often or brick, or brick and fl int demonstrating high quality of construction, with ‘king detailing – use of cambered post’ roof truss particularly bricks, decorative brickwork common in 19th and early refl ecting importance of 20th century examples. horses in agricultural history. • Roofs typically of tile, slate, • Roofs commonly gabled, half interlocking tile or corrugated iron, occasionally thatched.

hipped or fully hipped, usually of tile or slate, corrugated iron or interlocking tiles. Cartsheds and shelter Occasionally thatched. sheds • Retain existing openings • Often of similar construction, in walls, and avoid new timber framed with one open openings in boarded or side. Cattle shelters usually masonry walls, particularly integral part of yard, open on most visible elevations. side facing yard. Cartshed often sited away from yard, • Retain simple roof forms and facing along road or track. materials.

39 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire • Retain original surviving Hop Kilns/Oast houses Surviving examples are rare interior fi ttings such as stalls, and should be retained where • Few if any have survived feeding grills, hay lofts, possible though size limits unaltered, and restricted ladders. re-use potential. to parts of east/north east • Retain surviving split doors Hampshire. Other Structures where these survive. • Farmyard walls - typically of Dovecotes brick, fl int and brick with brick copings. Also cob, brick • Typically of square plan form, and cob, fl int and cob with though some circular thatched, tile or slate wall examples occur. tops.

• Typically of square plan with walls of brick or malmstone and pyramidal roof with a vent or cowl on top. Some circular plan examples, with conical roofs. Often grouped together. Openings for doors • Particularly vulnerable to and windows and ventilation. neglect and loss, these Kiln combustion chambers walls (commonly alongside on ground fl oor, with slatted roadways) should be fl oors above. retained, repaired and maintained. • Retain existing openings in masonry. • Historic fencing and gates - Chalk nesting boxes. commonly of iron and may be • Commonly of brick, brick and • Retain roof forms and historic examples of local foundries fl int or stone (malmstone) tiled or slate roof coverings and blacksmiths work. construction, often with chalk and cowls/vents where they Retain and keep clear from block used as an interior survive. overgrowth/vegetation. lining to create nest boxes. • Retain existing surviving • Roof commonly pyramidal interior features – slatted or conical shaped, of tile or fl oors / kiln structures of slate. particular rarity.

• Avoid creating new openings Piggeries in masonry and retain interior • Small-scale structures – particularly nesting boxes. typically of brick, brick and fl int, cob with a small house, open run and feeding trough.

Dovecote in gable.

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 40

Setting of Farm possible - avoid over Buildings subdivision of yards. • The setting of farm buildings, • Retain existing walls - in terms of new walls, particularly where alongside fencing, planting and surface roadways or public rights treatment should refl ect of way. the working nature of the farmyard. • Retain historic surfaces where they survive (e.g.stable • Avoid domestication or block paving ), and keep new urbanisation in planting/ surfaces simple using gravel/ paving/lighting proposals. hoggin as appropriate and avoid modern block paving. • Retain historic farmyard/ courtyard layouts where

• Water meadows structures. Typically bridges, sluices, hatches of stone, brick, timber and iron. Setting spoilt by parking.

• Retain where possible and keep clear from overgrowth and vegetation. (See Conservation of Watermeadows Structures)

Domestication of setting.

41 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 42 Conclusions

This document and the English • the confl ict between planning Heritage Pilot Project highlights policy guidance which may the importance of historic farm preclude the appropriate buildings in Hampshire which re-use of historic farm contribute to local identity and buildings which contribute landscape character. If our to the character of historic farm buildings are to settlements and the wider continue to contribute towards landscape the quality of our environment and landscape it is clear that • the need to target limited we need to address: fi nancial resources such as agri-environment funding • the need for more towards the most appropriate information on the existing maintenance and repair historic farm building programmes, particularly for resource those buildings for which re-use is impractical and • the continued pressure uneconomic on historic farm buildings for conversion to residential use

43 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire Contacts and Organisations

Landscape Planning and Society for the Protection of Acknowledgements to: Heritage Group Ancient Buildings (SPAB) English Heritage Environment Department 37 Spital Square Basingstoke and Deane Hampshire County Council London E1 6DY Borough Council The Castle, Winchester, Tel 0207 377 1644 Bob Edwards SO23 8UD www.spab.org.uk Ruth Garner Tel 01962 846832 John Reynolds Archaeology and Historic Natural England Buildings Record (AHBR) Hampshire and Isle of Tel 01962 846736 Wight Region E-mail: historic. 1 Southampton Road, [email protected] Lyndhurst, Hampshire www.hants.gov.uk/environ- SO43 7BU ment/historic-environment/ Tel 02380 286 410 www.naturalengland.org.uk English Heritage S.E. Region Eastgate Court Hampshire and Isle of Wight 195-205 High Street Wildlife Trust Guildford, Surrey, GU1 3EH Beechcroft House, Tel 01483 252000 Vicarage Lane, www.english-heritage.org.uk Curdridge, Hampshire www.helm.org.uk SO32 2DP Tel 01489 774 400 Dept. for Environment, Food www.hwt.org.uk and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) South East Region The Bat Conservation Trust Government Buildings, Unit 2, 15 Cloisters House’ Coley Park 8 Battersea Park Road, Reading, Berkshire, London SW8 4B RG1 6DE Tel 0207 272 629 Tel 0118 939 2205 www.bats.org.uk www.defra.org.uk

Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 44 Glossary

45 Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire Historic Farm Buildings in Hampshire 46 Landscape Planning and Heritage Group Environment Department Hampshire County Council The Castle, Winchester, SO23 8UD Tel 01962 846832