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.

Spring Open Day

Date: 27th April 2025
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Winterbourne Medieval Barn
MEDIEVALBARN-33

Have a sneak peak inside our beautiful heritage site…FOR FREE!
Come on in to find out the history of this beautiful barn and admire original medieval timbers. Hear the story of how it was all almost lost in the 1980s, then saved by local supporters in the 1990s and how it is used today!
The Barn is normally only open for ticketed events, so this is a great change to explore this Grade II* listed building…and maybe find out what else is on for you to come and visit us again.

We are delighted that regular Barn performers, Bygonz wandering minstrels, will be providing music for visitors during our Spring Open Day.
They always create such a special atmosphere in our main barn with their medieval-style music and we are really looking forward to having them back.

WE NEED YOU: HISTORY CALLOUT!
We would love to find out more about the modern history of The Barn and how it has been seen / used by the local community. As part of our research into the History of the Barn and its use, both recent and medieval,  we would love to hear about any memories or stories of the site during this time.
Do you remember what was growing in the fields around WW2? 
Did you grow up in and around Winterbourne and have any stories to share about the site? 
Do you have memories of playing in The Barn when it was unoccupied, or perhaps remember it as a working farm and can remember where things were stored or what was going in and out of The Barn? 
Do you have any photos of the site before it was renovated, or perhaps of some of our early events? 
We would love to hear from you! 
Some of our friendly volunteers will be collecting any stories / copies of photographs / recording any items you would like to share during the Open Day. The aim is to help fill in some of the missing history about The Barn, so we would love it if you would like to come and be involved.
If you can’t make it to the open day, but would still like to share your story with us, then please email it to us at contact@winterbournebarn.org.uk

About Winterbourne Medieval Barn
Winterbourne Medieval Barn, built in 1342, is a unique surviving example of a great medieval Barn built by a gentry family. Constructed using green timber methods, cutting edge technology for the time, it has been described as a magnificent example of the builders craft. Come and look around this beautiful building, set in rural South Gloucestershire, just outside Bristol.

The Main Barn will be open for you to look around at your leisure with some of our volunteer tour guides on hand to answer any questions you have about our beautiful site.

Our pop up café will also be open serving a small selection of drinks and snacks. Cash and card payments are accepted,

Why not combine your visit with a trip to St Michael’s Church next door? The tower, as well as the church, will be open for people to find out about bellringing. Opening times are subject to change so please check with them in advance if you are arranging a visit especially. We’re also located next to Monks Pool Nature Reserve which makes The Barn an ideal starting point for exploring the local landscape.

We will be open from 1pm – 4pm. Please arrive at any time within this time slot and stay for as long, or little as you like.

Look out for the brown signs on Winterbourne High Street to direct you to The Barn.
Limited car parking is available onsite. We have plenty of cycle parking for those travelling by bike. The Barn is a short ten minute walk from Winterbourne High Street.

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

Any donations kindly given at this event are used go towards our fundraising for WMBT to support conservation, management, maintenance and improvement of the WMBT site.

Talk: A Day in the Life of a Medieval Knight and Peasant

Date: 6th May 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Winterbourne Medieval Barn
Med Fayre 2024 2

We are delighted to welcome back Company of Chivalry to The Barn.
Previously seen at our Medieval Fayres as the living history re-enactment troupe, this time they will be presenting an entertaining and informative talk on the daily lives of a medieval peasant and knight!

What were the real differences between the daily life of a noble lord and a humble peasant in 14th century England?. From getting up in the morning to going to bed – what might it really have been like?
Come with us as we bring to life the daily routine – with props, costume and interaction. Feel the weight of the sword versus the ewer, try on articles of clothing, even taste the delicacies of Medieval England. All brought to life by two experienced speakers with the aid of an audience welcomed to step back in time.

Refreshments available from our pop up bar. Cash and card payments accepted.

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

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

If you wish to avoid the online booking fee then please contact the office to arrange a time to come and book in person.

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.