Name: Harmondsworth Barn
Rating: 5.0

Harmondsworth Barn

English Heritage - Harmondsworth Barn, HarmondswoHillingdonrth, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Harmondsworth Barn Rescued by English Heritage after years of neglect, this Grade I listed barn ranks alongside the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey for its exceptional architectural and historic interest. It was dubbed the "Cathedral of Middlesex" by Sir John Betjeman.

Built in 1426 by Winchester College as part of its manor farm at Harmondsworth, the oak-framed barn is an outstanding example of medieval carpentry and contains one of the most intact interiors of its era. At nearly 60 metres long, 12 metres wide and 11 metres tall, with 13 massive oak trusses holding up the roof, both its size and aisles evoke the space and shape of a cathedral.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Harmondsworth Barn: The barn at Harmondsworth was built in 1425–7 on land bought by William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, in 1391, to endow Winchester College. Used mainly to store cereal crops before threshing, it remained in agricultural use until the 1970s. At 58 metres (192 ft) long and 11.4 metres (37 ft 6 in) wide, the barn is one of the largest ever known to have been built in the British Isles, and the largest intact medieval timber-framed barn in England. It was bought by English Heritage in 2011.
The Priory of Harmondsworth, 1069–1391: As a property of Harold II, King of the English, the manor of Harmondsworth passed to William I at the Norman Conquest. In 1069 the new king granted it to the abbey of La Sainte-Trinité du Mont, just outside Rouen in Normandy.[1] The abbey was one of many continental monasteries to be enriched with English property after 1066.
The Property of Winchester, 1391–1543: As Winchester accumulated properties during Wykeham’s lifetime, the College systematically repaired or rebuilt the houses and farm buildings that went with them. At Harmondsworth the old ‘great barn’ was kept until it was replaced by the existing structure in the 1420s.
Later History: In 1543 the property was exchanged with another at Henry VIII’s command.[15] Four years later it was sold to the Paget family (later Earls of Uxbridge and Marquesses of Anglesey), who kept it until 1774.[16] A series of detailed leases from the 1580s onwards records the names of the tenants and their rights and shows that Harmondsworth remained a productive estate, although subdivided into a number of separate farms.

Facilities

Parking: There is a free English Heritage car park to the rear of the barn.
Dogs: Assistance dogs allowed only.
Food & Drinks: There are no facilities on site. There are two pubs within 200 metres of the barn.
Toilets: There are no facilities on site. There are no public toilets in Harmondsworth village, but there are toilets in the nearby church hall which is open for part of Sunday mornings when the church is open, and there are two pubs within 200 metres of the barn.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/harmondsworth-barn/opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

The barn is open from 11am to 4pm on the second and fourth Sundays of the month from 13th April to 26th October.
The Barn is also open for Heritage Open Days - 13 & 14 Sept 10am to 5pm
Nov - Mar Closed

Address: English Heritage - Harmondsworth Barn, HarmondswoHillingdonrth, UK

Post Code: UB7 0AQ

Council: Hillingdon

County: Greater London

Road Access: Located off High Street, Harmondsworth Village. Entrance is off short spur road between 'The Five Bells' public house and St Mary's Church.
Bus Access: TfL U3 and 350.
Train Access: West Drayton 2 miles.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is a free English Heritage car park to the rear of the barn.