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Tithe Barn

Creator: Couling, Arthur Vivian · 1890-1962

The barn is one of the longest (51 metres) and most impressive in Britain and was probably originally built about 1330 to house the tithes due to Shaftesbury Abbey although it sits on a former Manor Farm. In 1914 it had ceased to function and it was offered by its owner to any society prepared to undertake the cost of repair and upkeep which the owner was not prepared to do, otherwise there would be no option but to demolish it. The Ministry of Works were set to take it over but the outbreak of the First World War put paid to that for some time and Wiltshire Archaeological Society took on the burden. It was finally transferred to the Ministry of Works in 1939 and is now in the care of English Heritage which has accorded it a Grade II status. For more details vide https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/bradford-on-avon-tithe-barn/history/