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.

Fused Glass Workshop

Date: 26th January 2024
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Winterbourne Medieval Barn
balloon5-800×800 – the glass cabin

Join local glass artist, Rachael Durkan from The Glass Cabin at 10am or 1pm for one of her popular fused glass workshops where you can make your own unique and beautiful item for yourself or as a gift. You have the option of making a Bristol balloon, flower panel or freestyle hanging. Suitable for complete beginners as well as those who’ve caught the fused glass bug!

You will have 2 hours to create your masterpiece, using a variety of pre-cut glass and glass accessories in an array of beautiful colours. There will be plenty of templates to choose from or you can create your own design. Rachael will have lots of ideas to inspire you and is on hand with design advice throughout the workshop.

PLEASE NOTE – Rachael will take your finished piece away to be fused in her kiln. It will be available for collection from the barn or Rachael directly a couple of weeks after the workshop.

This workshop is suitable for age 16+ (under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult)

For safety reasons, please do not wear open toe shoes such as sandals or flip flops. Also a little reminder for people who wear glasses…. due to close up work, you may wish to bring along your spectacles!

Parking for this event is at the Barn, BS36 1SE. 

Tea & coffee will be provided during the introduction and is included in your ticket price. Due to the nature of working with glass refreshments will not be permitted during the actual workshop.

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

Whittling workshop

Date: 3rd February 2024
Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Winterbourne Medieval Barn
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We are delighted to welcome back Dan Bendel for this full day workshop where you will learn how to whittle a sculptural figure or head with a knife from a single piece of wood.
Dan will show you the basics of whittling with a sharp whittling knife. He will show you the techniques to help you make a whittled figure or Head and enough skills to continue whittling at home.
Format for the day:
First an introduction to the basics and safety. Then everyone will have a go at  the main whittling cuts on scrap pieces of wood. Which include Parring cut, notch cut and the Hinge cut. Dan will demonstrate these techniques.
Once everyone’s had a try we will look at the different woods and approaches to visualising a 3D whittling/carving, using Paper, Plasticine and other woodcarving at inspiration.
Then you will make and whittle your carving or sculpture. Dan will be there to guide you through the process every step of the way with lots of demos along the way.
Dan will have some pre-made templates as well, including animals and figures.

All materials will be provided but feel free to bring your own piece if wood if you have a specific one you would like to work with. We recommend participants to wear sturdy boots and rough clothes.

Tea & coffee will be provided but please bring a packed lunch.

Free parking is available at the barn.

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.