Farmstead record FLW 014 - Outfarm: Mousehall Barn

Mousehall Barn adjoins a paddock and stream in open countryside on the eastern side of Flowton Road. The barn is a four-bay timber-framed and weatherboarded structure of circa 1800 that re-uses many timbers from an early-17th century predecessor of which the northern gable survives in situ with externally trenched wall-braces (where the southern gable and both elevations contain diagonal primary bracing of later form). The steeply-pitched clasped-purlin roof was previously thatched but is now covered with red-painted corrugated iron while a pair of cow-sheds adjoining its gables retain their original late-19th century pantiles. The barn is of considerable historic interest as a typical and relatively well-preserved threshing barn of the Napoleonic era which probably contained a stable in its northern bay with a three-bay threshing barn to the south. It retains its original roof structure along with most of its wall fabric, three of the four arch-braces to the entrance bay and its original porch and door framing. The structure is of additional interest given its re-use of material from a 17th century predecessor, which lends it an older and most impressive appearance than would otherwise have been the case. The adjoining pantiled sheds are later additions but are also of historic value as they occupy the site of buildings shown on the tithe map of 1839 and illustrate the typical linear development of roadside barns in the 19th century. The three structures form a particularly attractive group in an area of unspoiled countryside (S1).

Mousehall Barn, Flowton. 19th century outfarm with converted buildings. Row plan formed by working agricultural buildings. The farmhouse is set away from the yard. The traditional farm buildings are extant. 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.