EDO6264 - West Creech Farm, Steeple; building recording 2009

The history of a collection of buildings at Creech Farm has been assessed and recorded to identify the phases of construction, function and materials and methods of construction. Detailed records including drawings and photographs have been made to support interpretation. Historic maps were consulted to provide cartographic evidence of the chronological development during the late 19th and early 20th century. The assessment methodology followed English Heritage Guidance (2006) 'Understanding Historic Buildings: a guide to good recording practices', specifically Level 1, for the ancillary buildings, labelled buildings C-H, Level 2 for the farmhouse (Building A), and Level 3 for the barn Building B). This survey has identified 'a long history of agricultural activity at the site dating back to at least the late medieval period (c 15th/16th century). The present buildings exhibit extensive rebuilding and repairs that may have removed or masked earlier structures. Documentary evidence cite a farming settlements in the area of West Creech at the time of the Domesday survey and further documents contain refereces to it throughout the medeival period.' The farm is thought to have been one of four small estates mentioned in the Domesday Book, and later becoming the 'home farm' to the monastic grange. It was sold into, and remained in private hands in 1687 and remained with the same family well into the 20th century. Analysis of the remaining buildings indicates a number of phases of construction and dereliction, which most likely correspond to economic developments in agriculture within the estate and in the wider heathland landscape. Recording and nterpretation was limited by the need to protect vegetation and wildlife on the west face of the farm and the ad hoc nature of the repair and rebuilding work.