Description

TQ 64 SW PEMBURY MAIDSTONE ROAD

5/386 Downingbury Farm Barn

GV II

Former barn, now (February 1989) being converted into 2 houses. Probably C17
with C18 extension. Weatherboarded timber-frame on brick footings; peg-tile
roof.

Plan: Former threshing barn faces east south east, say east. The C17 barn
had large opposing central doorways onto the threshing floor but this is now
left (south) of centre since the barn was just about doubled in length in the
C18 with an extension on the right (north) end. If this extension had its own
threshing floor the doorwways to it are now blocked.

Originally open to the roof it is now having a first floor inserted. Lean-to
outshot on the left (south) end and C19 cartshed projects forward from the
centre.

Exterior: Irregular 3-window front of casements without glazing bars, all
from late 1988/early 1989. 2 front doorways. The left one is in the recessed
blocking of the full height threshing floor doorway with a tier of windows at
first floor level above. Another doorway at the right end in a recessed
porch. Both contain plain C20 doors. Main roof has an attractively uneven
ridge. It is half-hipped to right. It was originally half-hipped to left but
is now hipped as it is carried down over the outshot that end. Similar C20
fenestration to rear.

Interior: The C17 and C18 framed structure is retained. In the C17 half the
timbers are of large scantling and include large curving tension braces above
the middle rail. Wall posts with jowled heads and the tie-beams are (or were)
arch-braced. Roof structure above replaced in the late C19/early C20. The
C18 section is more complete with a clasped side purlin roof construction.

Downingbury Farm Barn forms a good group with nearby Downingbury Farm Oast
(q.v.) and the good early C18 Downingbury Farmhouse (q.v.).

Listing NGR: TQ6365742895

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26546109

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  For the Record
• 
  Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6