SDO21073 - Barnston Manor, Church Knowle, Dorset: Photographic Survey of Outbuildings

‘A photographic survey of four former agricultural buildings was undertaken, photographing both external features and internal fixtures and fittings to record current condition prior to conversion or repair. A watching brief during new drainage works and building recording during internal works to the house. Terrain Archaeology undertook a photographic survey of the historic agricultural buildings at Barnston Manor, prior to their repair and alteration. Four buildings were recorded: barn, stables, shelter sheds and a dairy house/milking parlour. The buildings dated between the late 18th to the early 20th century. Most of the buildings had lost their original agricultural purpose in the 1960s when a new farmyard was created. This was reflected in the relatively few surviving fixtures and fittings and lack of contents relating to their agricultural use. The watching brief during drainage works and alterations to Barnston Manor house revealed new archaeological details of the historic building in the Hall and West Wing, enabling a partial reinterpretation of the house. The West Wing appears to be part of the original construction of the house and has undergone a series of later modifications. A series of stone drains were found below the floor. The external drainage works revealed some details of earlier yard surfaces and evidence for considerable landscaping of the south lawn. The remains of the demolished part of a shelter shed in the south-east part of the site were also recorded.’