New roof and repairs on medieval barn complete

Work to restore a 15th century thatched barn in Upminster, east London has been completed.

Tithe Barn, which dates back to about 1450 and is among the largest of its kind in England, fell into disrepair in recent years and was believed to be at risk of further decay.

Four master thatchers and two apprentices installed a new roof, using about 30 tonnes of water reed. The barn's ancient brickwork and oak frame was also repaired.

Historic England, which the led the project, said it was a "magnificent restoration" and the site was to have a variety of uses, with public access guaranteed under the grant conditions.

The £750,000 project was largely funded by National Highways as part of an agreement it would support local initiatives following its plans to build a new tunnel under the Thames connecting Essex with Kent.

Historic England said the restored building could safely be removed from a list of heritage sites it believes to be at risk of neglect, decay, or poor development.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: "The magnificent restoration of Upminster Tithe Barn demonstrates the powerful benefits of working together to protect our irreplaceable heritage and delivery of positive outcomes for people and communities alike."

However, further funding is needed for a heating system and toilets so that the building can be widely used by the public, Historic England says.

The building has used in recent years as a museum displaying local historic artefacts, but it has not been confirmed precisely how it will be used in the future.

According to Historic England, Tithe Barn was built during the reign of King Henry VI, at a time when England was in the midst of an economic crisis known as the Great Slump, which partly led to the subsequent civil war between the Houses of Lancaster and York.

Built with oak felled between 1420 and 1440, it originally formed part of the Waltham Abbey estate in Epping, at a time when the area was open countryside.

It is one of the earliest surviving buildings in the London Borough of Havering and is now a "scheduled monument", meaning it has a high level of protection and is considered a nationally significant site.

At 44m (144.4ft) long, Tithe Barn is one of the largest thatched barns in England.

It is now owned by Havering Council.

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