Thwaite Farm is a working farm located near the hamlet of Howgill, approximately 3 miles northwest of Sedbergh, and located within the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The farm consists of a collection of buildings surrounding a yard that is approached from the east. The Grade II listed farmhouse sits to the north of the farm track, with modern farm buildings to the south. To the west of the site is the collection of interconnected traditional barns which are the subject of this report.
The barn complex consists of a large central Hay Barn running east-west, with a traditional Bank Barn adjoining its east end, forming an L-shaped plan. Various other later lean-to structures have been added to the central arrangement. The Bank Barn appears to be the oldest of the structures. All the barns are constructed of local rubble sandstone and field stones, and some retain their original locally quarried carboniferous sandstone (gritstone) ‘slate’ flagged roofs. Some have been re-roofed in artificial cement slates, and others have roofs of profiled steel sheeting or corrugated fibre cement sheeting.
The building was closely inspected internally and externally and a visual assessment of condition made. No invasive or destructive testing was carried out. Inspection was carried out from ground level and ladders.
The defects found were recorded on the survey drawings, the Building was also subjected to a full structural appraisal by a Conservation Accredited Structural Engineer.
The principal threat facing this building is that the water ingress, structural deformation, and timber decay issues outlined above will worsen if left unattended.
The proposed repairs sought to correct long-term defects in the building and undo damaging earlier interventions where necessary. The integrity of the rain-shedding surfaces is vital to the sustainability of the building, and the condition of the roofs is paramount to the success of the weatherproof building envelope.
It was proposed to strip the roofs entirely and replace the cement slates with new locally sourced Burlington blue Strong slates, traditionally laid in random widths and in diminishing course.
Beams, purlins, rafters, truss members, and lintels were replaced where necessary with selected air-dried oak, jointed by hand to match the existing work as closely as possible.
“We cannot thank you enough for all the hard work you have put into viewing, taking notes, drawing plans, setting up tenders and overall project managing of what became ‘quite an operation.’ I can honestly say it has been a ‘Phoenix rising from the Ashes’ moment. The barns are truly splendid, and I just walk up there, see the barns and smile.” Client
Restoration at No.1 Long Houses prioritizes the retention of historic integrity while addressing necessary repairs. Traditional materials and skilled craftsmanship ensure interventions align with the building’s original construction methods. By maintaining the building’s historic character while ensuring its continued functionality, we reinforce the importance of thoughtful, conservation-led repair work.
Crosby Granger Architects have restored Low House Farm, a Grade II listed property comprising a house, bank barn, and long-house with outbuildings, located southwest of Littletown in the Newlands Valley, Cumbria. Our work focuses on preserving the historic fabric of these structures, employing traditional materials and techniques to ensure their longevity and continued agricultural use.
We are conserving a late 17th-century Lakeland barn, an integral part of a Grade II listed farmhouse. Our restoration work retains as much historic fabric as possible, employing traditional techniques to ensure its longevity. This project exemplifies our dedication to preserving the vernacular heritage of the Lake District.
Nestled in the Howgill Fells, the traditional barns at Thwaite Farm were deteriorating - until grant funding brought us onboard to help turn things around 🌾
Preserving their historic character was just as important to us as making them structurally sound. And while heritage conservation was the primary goal, the family needed them to remain practical, working farm buildings.
Watching these historic structures transform from vulnerable to secure was an emotional experience for the family - and we are so proud to have played a part in saving them for future generations.
This project is featured in our latest piece in Issue 52 of Conservation & Heritage magazine, alongside a look at how the approach used at Thwaite is now being applied across 21 further barns in Cumbria ✨
#Architecture #HistoricBuilding #Conservation
Sep 7
Preserving a piece of Cumbrian history at Levens Hall 🏰
Sitting just outside the Lake District National Park, Levens Hall is famous for its Grade I listed parkland and the world’s oldest topiary garden. Welcoming over 30,000 visitors a year, this historic Elizabethan home requires thoughtful, traditional care to keep it looking its best.
So what repairs did we make? 🛠️
👉 Stripping away harmful cement render and replacing it with traditional lime mortar and limewash so the building can breathe.
👉 Re-roofing the hipped slate roofs and replacing lead details.
👉 Restoring parapet stonework and internal plaster.
Specialist conservation work like this ensures the Hall remains a safe, vibrant landmark for the public and the Bagot family for years to come.
#Architecture #HistoricBuilding #Conservation #LakeDistrict
Sep 2
We are proud to see our work featured in the latest edition of Conservation & Heritage magazine (Issue 52) 📖
Traditional barns are a fundamental part of the Lake District’s agricultural identity and World Heritage status. We are helping safeguard 21 agricultural buildings across the National Park through a major conservation initiative backed by the Lake District National Park Authority.
Preserving these structures not only protects our cultural landscape but also keeps traditional building crafts alive for future generations.
Read the full feature in Conservation & Heritage magazine (pages 70–73) ✨
#ConservationArchitecture #Heritage #LakeDistrict
Aug 31
