Building record MDO45711 - Stickley's Barn, Sixpenny Handley

A largely 20th century house with 15th century origins and 19th century outbuildings consisting of: a barn, a granary, and two storey building that was possibly a former stable block, defining three sides of a yard or courtyard. The house stands on the south side of the courtyard and is built of rubble, flint and brick with a clay tile roof and two stacks. It is in the Vernacular Revival style. The façade comprises from left to right: a single storey block; two, two storied gabled bays that break forwards; and a one and a half storey block of two bays beyond. The fenestration consists of timber mullioned windows which, although modern, take their inspiration from Medieval examples, and some have lancet headed lights. The principal entrance is situated in the right hand bay and has a four-centred surround and a timber plank door. The granary is situated beyond the north west corner of the house and is of one and a half storeys. It is a small timber-framed building that is weatherboarded and stands on staddle stones. The barn is a single-depth building that is rectangular on plan and is orientated north-south. On stylistic evidence it would appear to date from the 19th century, but may have earlier origins. It is built of random rubble, knapped flint and brick, with weatherboarding to the upper parts of the front and rear elevations. The weatherboarding has been extensively replaced. The two storey building has a rectangular plan and is of one storey with attic. It is built of random rubble and flint with brick dressings and a clay tile roof.

Sixpenny Handley is a small village in Cranborne Chase and Stickley's Barn is situated to the south west of the village. It comprises a house, which is considered to have its origins in the 15th century, and several outbuildings: a barn, a granary, and two storey building that was possibly a former stable block, defining three sides of a yard or courtyard. The first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1887 shows the house to be rectangular on plan and aligned west-east. In the late 20th century it underwent significant renovation and substantial extensions were built on the north, east and south sides of the building. The 1887 map indicates that there were several other outbuildings within the courtyard at this time, though these have since been demolished. Stickley's Barn formed part of the Rushmore Estate, but in the late 1970s, came into the ownership of Richard Eckford who was responsible for the renovation work.

A house and former agricultural buildings laid out around a central courtyard.

House: The house stands on the south side of the courtyard and is built of rubble, flint and brick with a clay tile roof and two stacks. It is in the Vernacular Revival style. The façade comprises from left to right: a single storey block; two, two storied gabled bays that break forwards; and a one and a half storey block of two bays beyond. The fenestration consists of timber mullioned windows which, although modern, take their inspiration from Medieval examples, and some have lancet headed lights. The principal entrance is situated in the right hand bay and has a four-centred surround and a timber plank door. The rear (south) elevation is 20th century in appearance with an asymmetrical arrangement of window and door openings. There is a large two storey projecting wing towards the right hand end.

Internally, the entrance porch leads to a large hall that is open to the roof; to the left is a sitting room which has an open hearth with timber bressumer. Throughout the building the quality of features is evident and although modern are of a high standard, including the principal staircase, ceiling beams, doors, architraves, and panelling. These continue the Medieval style seen externally. Except for some re-used timbers, many of the internal features date from the late-20th century renovation of the property.

Granary: This is situated beyond the north west corner of the house and is of one and a half storeys. It is a small timber-framed building that is weatherboarded and stands on staddle stones. Much of the timber cladding has been replaced in the 20th century. The roof is half hipped and is covered with clay tiles. The granary has been converted to domestic accommodation and has been incorporated into the house; it is connected to the latter by a short link corridor which is also weather boarded. A number of windows openings, and a doorway in the east elevation, have been inserted into all four sides of the granary. Internally the first floor is supported on beams and chamfered rafters, and a straight flight of timber stairs provide access to the upper floor.

Barn: This is a single-depth building that is rectangular on plan and is orientated north-south. On stylistic evidence it would appear to date from the 19th century, but may have earlier origins. It is built of random rubble, knapped flint and brick, with weatherboarding to the upper parts of the front and rear elevations. The weatherboarding has been extensively replaced. The half-hipped roof is clad with corrugated sheeting, but was probably formerly thatched. There are central double doors, flanked by window openings to the main (west) elevation; the opposing doorway to the east elevation has been infilled with timber panels with glazing to the upper part. The interior is open to the roof, which has simple A-frame trusses with paired of V-shaped struts. The trusses are carried on piers of brick and concrete blockwork and the roof structure dates from the 20th century.

Two Storey building: This single-depth building has a rectangular plan and is of one storey with attic. It is built of random rubble and flint with brick dressings and a clay tile roof. The symmetrical façade faces onto the house and comprises a central entrance which is approached by shallow stone steps, and is flanked by a three-light timber window to either side. There is a single hipped dormer to the roof. The building provides additional domestic accommodation and has not been inspected internally.

Stickley's Barn is a complex of buildings which has undergone considerable change since they were first erected. In order to meet the criteria for national designation, vernacular buildings of this date need to show evidence of their building history in the retention of their plan form, fabric, construction and decorative detail, and show a good degree of intactness. The house appears from stylistic evidence to largely date from the 20th century, however at its core is an earlier building, described as 15th century weaver's cottage by the applicant. This building, which is shown as a rectangular structure on the 1887 Ordnance Survey map, underwent significant enlargement and renovation in the 1970s. It bears clear evidence of having been extended and altered considerably and presents largely as a much altered 20th century house and little of the original plan form and the earlier layout is now discernible within the house. That said the late-20th century work is of some interest in its own right; the renovation has resulted in a Lutyens-style house with strong medieval influences. On stylistic evidence the outbuildings appear to date largely from the 19th century. Between c.1840-1880 there was a period of intensification and technological change in agricultural practice, and numbers of farm buildings increased dramatically at this time. Farm buildings dating from this period are selected for listing on the grounds of innovation and intactness, and architectural quality is also a consideration. Some buildings of relatively late date or with alterations may also qualify for listing where they are part of an outstanding group of structures. There have been extensive renovations to the Stickleys Barn buildings in the 20th century: the detached two storey building which may have previously functioned as stables, has been renovated and provides domestic accommodation; and the granary was converted to residential use and this has resulted in the replacement of much of its weatherboarding and the insertion of window and door openings in the 20th century. The barn is a modest agricultural building, typical of its date and location, using local materials. The extent of alteration to the building is considerable, not only to the outside, but also internally, including the replacement of all of the roof timbers. The house known as Stickley's Barn certainly has some interest and is not without charm, but does not meet the very high standards required for listing; it is principally a late-20th century building, albeit in an attractive English Vernacular Revival style. Furthermore, the degree of alteration and change to the associated outbuildings means that although they form an attractive grouping with the house, they cannot be recommended for addition to the statutory list. <1>

<1> English Heritage, English Heritage Listing File, Adviser's report on case 166389 in file 505417/001 (Scheduling record). SDO17502.

No list case: 166389

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1484978 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 22 2023 5:32PM