An intriguing medieval site

Winterbourne Medieval Barn is a building of national importance. Built in 1342, just a few years before the Black Death swept across England, the barn is an extraordinary survivor of our medieval past. It was commissioned by Thomas de Bradeston, who was Lord of the Manor of Winterbourne from 1328 until his death in 1360.

Major building works have recently been completed with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and many other generous funders and donors to revitalise the whole Barn complex into a community heritage site promoting the knowledge of medieval history, its architecture, agricultural landscape and people.

What happens at the Barn

As a multi-purpose venue we host a range of activities for the local community including family activities, music and theatre performances, craft workshops, a monthly lecture series, and our flagship events the Medieval Fayre and Orchard Harvest Days.

The Barn makes a unique and beautiful setting for a magical wedding day and is available for hire all year round. The Barn and seminar rooms can also be hired for celebration events, film shoots, and meetings. Get in touch to find out more.

Next Events

Click here to go to our full event listing page.

Talk: Medieval wall paintings in Gloucestershire churches

Date: 21st March 2024
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Winterbourne Medieval Barn
IMG_0180

During the Middle Ages, English churches were decorated with wall paintings telling the stories of the Old and New Testaments, the lives of the saints and various moral lessons – a veritable ‘Poor Man’s Bible’, there to assist the priest in the instruction of his largely illiterate congregation. 
This talk will explore the many surviving examples to be seen within the medieval churches of the historic (pre-1974) county of Gloucestershire, including those from St. Michael’s Church next door to The Barn!

Refreshments available on arrival and during talk. Cash and card payments accepted.

Free parking on site. Parking for this event will be at the Barn, BS36 1SE.

Due to the nature of this talk tickets are only available to attend in person. This talk will not be streamed via zoom on this occasion.

The primary purpose of this event is to raise money for WMBT and to support conservation, management, maintenance and improvement of the WMBT site.

Witty Ditties: 400 Years of Comic Song

Date: 24th March 2024
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Winterbourne Medieval Barn
Witty Ditties landscape

We are delighted to welcome back GreenMatthews after their previous sell-out shows at The Barn. 

Following on from their acclaimed show “A Brief History of Music”, GreenMatthews bring you a new show which explores our rich history of witty wordplay and melodic mirth.

Chris Green (piano, guitar, accordion) and Sophie Matthews (early woodwinds, flute, saxophone) bring you four centuries of chromatic comedy, ranging from bawdy Restoration ballads to stinging Sixties satire via Victorian music hall variety. Featuring songs by Noel Coward, Tom Lehrer, Flanders and Swann and a host of other lesser-known songwriters, this fun and fast-moving revue will have you rolling in the aisles!

Please note car parking for this event is at Winterbourne Academy off the High Street, BS36 1JL. From there it is a 10 – 15 minute walk down Church Lane. The most lit up route will be via Beacon Lane which will also be the route to go with the flow of traffic, rather than against. Please note these are country roads so do take care, bring a torch and dress appropriately.
All vehicles must park in the school car park in appointed spaces. Parking in disabled spaces is for disabled badges users only. Parking is at your own risk and the Olympus Academy Trust accepts no responsibility for any damage to vehicles or property whilst you are using the facilities.
Car parking will be available at the Barn for those with mobility issues only. If you cannot manage the walk down to The Barn, please email us on ceara.foley@winterbournebarn.org.uk  and we can reserve you a parking space onsite. There is plenty of bicycle parking at The Barn for those arriving on two wheels and space for drop off / collection if you would like to arrange this.
Please do not park along church lane as this obstructs the road for other users and emergency vehicles.

The primary purpose of this event is to raise money for WMBT and to support conservation, management, maintenance and improvement of the WMBT site.

Weddings

We’re now taking enquiries and bookings for wedding celebrations. The Barn and grounds make a spectacular backdrop for a special occasion. At Winterbourne Medieval Barn you have the flexibility to create an event that is as unique as you are. Check out our weddings page for more information.