Leigh Court Barn, Leigh (Worcestershire)
This medieval timber-framed barn is the largest cruck structure in Britain. Built in 1344. Free admission.
Introduction
An outstanding display of English medieval carpentry, this mighty timber-framed barn is the largest cruck structure in Britain. Built for Pershore Abbey in 1344, it is 46 metres (150 feet) long, with 18 cruck blades each made from a single oak tree.
Extensive restoration work was undertaken in the late 1980s, and it is now in the joint guardianship of Leigh Court and English Heritage.
Open 10am - 5pm. Thursday - Sunday, 1st April - 30th September.
History to the present day
A tithe barn was a type of barn used in England in the Middle Ages for storing the tithes - a tenth of the farm's produce which had to be given to the church.
The Grade 1 listed Tithe Barn at Leigh Court was built in the 1300s, to house the tithes for the monks of Pershore Abbey. It is considered to be England’s largest and most significant cruck building, being 150 feet long by 34 feet wide (45.7m by 10.4m).
More photos of Leigh Court Barn, Leigh
Reconditioning (English Heritage)
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Interior view of door (English Heritage)
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