Barn conversion in grounds of Grade I listed Somerset manor

— 16 Aug 2021

The conversion of the Long Barn in the grounds of a Grade I listed medieval manor in Somerset has been completed in spite the complications arising from the Covid pandemic.

With the extensive renovation works at the medieval Manor completed, Jonathan Rhind Architects were asked by the client to draw up plans and gain approvals for the conversion of an old barn on the 50 acre site near the Devon Somerset border.

The original date of the barn is not known, although it appears on a Tithe map of 1840, and thus has an important historic relationship to the manor house and the site in general. Having long since fallen out of use and with significant works needed to repair and conserve it, the clients were keen to find a new use to ensure the barn’s continued survival.

Jonathan Rhind Architects’ plans to convert the barn into an annexe are designed in the context of its association with the Grade I manor, providing a new use for the barn, ancillary to the main house, balanced in scale and sympathetic in style.

The converted barn annexe provides two ensuite bedrooms and open plan living spaces, opening into a small extension with a slim metal window framing extensive views across the lawns. The clients were keen to retain historic features, and materials such as the double roman clay roof tiles were salvaged from the original barn. Simple oak trusses internally and cedar cladding on the exterior contribute to the simple barn aesthetic in keeping with the local vernacular. The conversion is connected to the ground source heat pumps via the main house and has biodiversity enhancements such as a bat loft.

The barn is now in use as ancillary accommodation for the main house, and is looking great. Get in touch if you want to discuss plans for your barn or outbuilding or have a look at our barn conversions or rural diversification pages for more info.