Farmstead record WMM 008 - Farmstead: Wenham Hill

Timber-framed and weatherboarded barn of 6 bays. It was originally built in the early-17th C consisting of only three bays and a central porch to the east and a fourth bay at the N end partitioned to form a stable. It was extended in the mid-18th C by inserting two extra bays into its centre and moving one or both ends outwards. The clasped purlin roof structure was renewed at the same time. Despite extensive restoration in recent years, much of the 17th C timber framing still survives, complete with arch-braced tie-beams and internally trenched wall-braces. The original porch is also still in tact.

The 18th C wall framing and roof structure (formally thatched) are also largely unaltered. The method of the extension is seemingly unique.

Associated with grade II-listed farmhouse of the 16th C or earlier (S1).

Wenham Hill, Wenham Magna. 17th century farmstead and 16th century farmhouse. Regular courtyard multi-yard plan formed by working agricultural buildings. The farmhouse is set away from the yard. Significant loss (over 50%) of the traditional farm buildings. Located within an isolated position (S2-7).

Recorded as part of the Farmsteads in the Suffolk Countryside Project. This is a purely desk-based study and no site visits were undertaken. These records are not intended to be a definitive assessment of these buildings. Dating reflects their presence at a point in time on historic maps and there is potential for earlier origins to buildings and farmsteads. This project highlights a potential need for a more in depth field study of farmstead to gather more specific age data.