Cruck-framed Barn at Helme Farm

Reasons for Designation

The late C17/early C18 cruck-framed barn at Helme Farm is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Rarity: Cruck-framing was once a commonly used in north-west England for roof construction during the C17 and C18 but few examples now remain
* Survival: Buildings retaining substantial elements of cruck-framed construction are likely to merit listing and this example at Helme Farm retains two pairs of relatively complete cruck frames
* Architectural Interest: Cruck-framed construction is a characteristic form of simple timber-frame construction
* Date: The building pre-dates 1840 and all buildings constructed prior to this date which survive in anything like their original condition are suitable candidates for listing

Details

CUMREW

94/0/10011 CRUCK-FRAMED BARN AT HELME FARM 20-SEP-10

II Helme Farm three bay single-storey lateC17/early C18 cruck-framed barn.

MATERIALS: Random rubble sandstone beneath a slate roof.

PLAN: The barn is rectangular in plan.

EXTERIOR: The front (east) elevation has evidence of rebuilding at its north end using snecked stone. A timber plank door beneath a timber lintel gives internal pedestrian access. Off centre double timber doors covered externally with corrugated iron sheeting provide the main access. A modern metal extension has been added to the south end of the barn. The south gable end has a lean-to corrugated iron shed attached. There is a ventilation slot high in the barn's gable end. The cruck-framed barn's rear elevation is largely obscured by vegetation but a boarded up central door is visible. The north elevation has a modern corrugate iron lean-to attached above which two narrow ventilation slots are visible in the barn's wall. The barn is covered by a pitched slate roof.

INTERIOR: The cruck-framed barn is three bays long with a concrete floor and painted stone walls. There are two pairs of cruck frames each with a collar and the cruck-framed construction is a full cruck with side purlins carried on outer blades. The roof structure is boarded but gaps in the boarding reveal a mix of modern and early timbers. There is a boarded rear door in the central bay, a front pedestrian door in the south bay giving access to a modern metal extension, and a front pedestrian door in the north bay. There are ventilation slots in each gable end, all of which are boarded apart from one in the north gable

HISTORY: Cruck-framed barns in Cumbria are now a relatively rare building type. Although the precise date of construction of this one at Helme Farm is unknown it compares well with other examples of C17 and C18 date found elsewhere in the county. It has been reroofed, replacement doors have been added to the front elevation, and modern lean-to structures have been added to three sides of the barn.

SOURCES: Ordnance Survey Map 1:1200, epoch 1 (1843-93) Ordnance Survey Map 1:2500, epoch 2 (1891-1912) Brunskill, R, W, Traditional Buildings of Cumbria: The County of the Lakes (2002) 46-51 English Heritage: Vernacular Houses Selection Guide; Domestic Buildings 1 (2007) English Heritage: Agricultural buildings Selection Guide (2007) Lake, J, Historic Farmsteads: Preliminary Characterisation: Historic Farm Building Preliminary Character Statement (English Heritage)

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION The late C17/early C18 cruck-framed barn at Helme Farm is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * Rarity: Cruck-framing was once commonly used in north-west England for roof construction during the C17 and C18 but few examples now remain * Survival: Buildings retaining substantial elements of cruck-framed construction are likely to merit listing and this example at Helme Farm retains two pairs of relatively complete cruck frames * Architectural Interest: Cruck-framed construction is a particularly primitive form of timber-frame construction * Date: The building pre-dates 1840 and all buildings constructed prior to this date which survive in anything like their original condition are suitable candidates for listing

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

508044

Legacy System:

LBS

End of official list entry

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