Middle Littleton Tithe Barn, Medieval tithe barn in North and Middle Littleton, England
This medieval barn in North and Middle Littleton is one of England's largest agricultural buildings from its era, constructed from local stone and Cotswold stone detailing. Its enormous scale and timber structure reflect the way farms once organized storage and farm work in a single building.
This building was constructed in the middle of the 13th century to store tithe payments, which amounted to one-tenth of every harvest from surrounding farmers. Its protected status reflects how it has survived centuries as a rare example of medieval agricultural infrastructure.
The barn represents medieval agricultural practices through its architectural elements, including raised cruck construction and traditional wooden timber framework methods.
Access to the barn is through a working farmyard located near the manor house, and visitors can explore the exterior and surroundings on foot. The structure is best viewed during daylight hours when the stonework details are clearly visible.
Eight buttresses line the side walls while three support each end, and these positions mark where the interior was divided into separate storage sections. This engineering arrangement allowed the building to enclose a vast open space without internal pillars, solving a major challenge for medieval builders storing different crops.
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