Happy New Year

A very Happy New Year from all of us at Winterbourne Medieval Barn.

New floor in the main Barn

2020 is going to be a big year for us as we get ready to open our Barn doors once again later in the year. Our building works are due for completion in the Spring and the site is really starting to take shape.

In the Main Barn a new underfloor heating system has been laid at one end with a new floor going in on top. Aside from a clean up and a few coats of lime wash, not much else has been done in the main part of the Barn.

It’s around the rest of the site that the main striking transformations are taking place. The old cow byres are shaping up to look like wonderful artisanal workspaces. These will be available to rent from the Spring.

Inside the cow byre spaces

External view of the cow byres

Elsewhere, the old dilapidated West Barn is looking very different having been initially gutted and then split into two levels with new seminar rooms, a kitchen, and toilet facilities. New glass doors have been added on the North side to make a light and airy entrance hall.

Inside one room of the West Barn

External view of the West Barn

The interpretation corridor is now weather tight. This space links the Main and West Barn to allow people to travel between both without having the need to go out of doors. It will also contain our interpretation display about the history of the Barn and surrounding area.

Interpretation Corridor

Into the West Barn

When we re-open later this year, we’ll be back with our full programme of events including music, film, and theatre performances. We’ll be a local learning centre with schools able to visit for workshops about life in the past, as well as adult learning opportunities with the continuation of regular craft workshops, and our lecture series. The Barn and seminar rooms will be available to hire for a range of celebration events, conferences, and meetings.

Keep an eye on our social media pages for regular Barn updates. We look forward to welcoming you back at the Barn very soon!

Thanks to Ryan from Corbel Construction for the site photographs.