Listed Building record MDR4415 - Aisled Barn, Melbourne Hall, Blackwell Lane, Melbourne

Aisled Barn, Melbourne Hall, Blackwell Lane, Melbourne, originally a 15th century timber-framed building. 'Aisled barn attached to the north of the stables at Melbourne Hall (formerly listed as 'Farm building north-west of Melbourne Hall Stables.) Aisled barn, possibly a tithe barn, now partly workshops. 15th century, encased in the early 18th and mid 19th centuries with minor later alterations. Queen post trusses in the roof. Melbourne Hall was built on the site of the original rectory so this is probably the tithe barn, rather than the one to the west of the church.' (1) 'This seven-bay aisled brick barn, possibly dating from the 16th century, was originally timber-framed but is not medieval. The timber walls were replaced by brick in several stages. Brick walls have also been built to divide it up, possibly in the early 19th century when the iron-framed windows must have been inserted.' (2) 'Eleven samples were taken from the building for dendrochronological dating. These provided a felling date range between 1437 and 1472, the likely felling date being c1452.' (3) From the National Heritage List for England: 'SK 38/3925 PARISH OF MELBOURNE CHURCH CLOSE 6/60 (East Side) 18.2.71 Aisled Barn attached to North of Stables at Melbourne Hall (formerly listed as 'Farm Buildings North- West of Melbourne Hall Stables') GV I Aisled barn, possibly tithe barn, now partly workshops. C15, encased in early C18 and mid C19, with minor later alterations. Timber frame with red brick side walls on stone plinth and stone rubble gable walls with steeply pitched plain tile roof, plus roof lights to eastern pitch. Single storey and seven bays. West elevation has a pair of full height double plank doors to north with a small pane timber cross window to south. Beyond to south is a C19 segment headed doorcase with panelled door and seven similar cross windows. Each window with a horizontal sliding sash below the transom. Beyond again there is a recessed full height opening with double plank doors and another bay with glazed doors set in a glazed screen, plus gabled dormer above with plank door. East elevation is plain with numerous later abutments. Interior has six substantial cross frames with queen post trusses, originally with single butt purlins and now with double purlins, plus main posts with arched braces to all sides, the outer ones supporting the short aisle beams which are tenoned in to the original wall plate which survives at the top of the brickwork. A timber threshing floor survives below a later floor in the third bay from the north. Melbourne Hall was built on the site of the original rectory so this is probably the tithe barn, rather than the one at the west end of the church. Listing NGR: SK3893625052.' (4)