Telling the age of barns/granaries/cowsheds etc

[miers]

Hello

We are thinking of moving to a barn conversion and were wondering how easy it is to tell the age of the original building (before having a survey and so on). Are there any specific things to look out for?

Any help appreciated!

miers

 

[Nemesis]

Look at :

http://periodpropertyshop.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6555

If the building is listed, that's a help too.


But in general - look out for bad conversions which have destroyed the character of the original building - too may roof lights, windows inserted all over, interior space divided insensitively, etc etc...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4439768.stm

 

[miers]

Thanks, will take a look now.

That was fast!

 

[Nemesis]

I know. I have work I should be doing... but the words won't come so this is displacement activity!

There are books on barn conversions and what NOT to do - SAVE has one which is very cheap - old but still good, A Future for Farm Buildings by Gillian Darley. http://www.savebritainsheritage.org

CADW has advice on the website about conversions too...

Shire Publications has a little book which is useful, and the Vernacualar Architecture Group has a wealth of expertise.

Is the buildings listed? It's probably on Images of England if so.

 

[miers]

I am not sure if it is listed, but it is in a conservation area. I'll take a look at that book though, it sounds good.

Have to sell our house first though grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

thanks again

miers

 

[biffvernon]

Post a picture of it and we'll have a guessing game.

 

[Nemesis]

Here's the full EH report:

http://www.helm.org.uk/upload/pdf/Living-Buildings-Long-Version.pdf