Tithe Barn, Manor Farm, Doulting

The Tithe Barn at Manor Farm is a medieval agricultural building with eight bays arranged in a rectangular layout and supported by external buttresses. Two wagon porches mark the traditional entry points where farmers would have brought produce for storage.

The building was constructed in the 15th century as a storage facility serving Glastonbury Abbey, which collected one-tenth portions of harvests from surrounding farms. This arrangement was part of the Abbey's economic system.

The timber structure reflects medieval English agricultural practices, showing how communities stored and managed harvests from surrounding farmland.

The building retains its original layout, allowing visitors to observe the construction methods and agricultural organization of the past. Visitors should check ahead, as access may be limited due to its historic status.

The roof timbers were felled between 1288 and 1290, and tree-ring analysis reveals the exact date of construction. This makes it one of the most precisely dated medieval agricultural buildings in Somerset.

Location: Doulting

GPS coordinates: 51.18530,-2.50609

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:45