Building record PSM 047 - Spring Cottage, Whelp Street

Together with its neighbour, Applebough, Spring Cottage represents a rare and exceptionally early example of a barn conversion and is accordingly of great historic interest. Its original oak-framed structure dates from the late-15th century or early-16th century and formed a typical three-bay barn with a tall central door to the rear. The interior lacked fenestration and was entirely open to its crown-post roof. A ceiling, windows and a central chimney were inserted during the first half of the 17th century to convert the space into a single domestic house with a hall to the left 9Spring Cottage) and a parlour to the right (Applebough). By the date of the tithe survey in 1838 the building had been divided into two cottages, as at present, and sharded its owner with two other buildings in Whelp Street and some 30 acres of land. The owner lived elsewhere, and his property may represent the small late-medieval farmstead to which the barn originally belonged. A small number of pre-20th century barn conversions are known in Britain, notably at nearby Rattlesden where a 16th century barn was converted into a workhouse in the 18th century, but this may be the earliest example yet discovered. It reflects the gradual amalgamation of local land holdings to form ever-larger farms during the post-medieval period, leading to the abandonment of many farm buildings, and the rapid increase in expectations of domestic comfort during the early-17th century. The conversion of the barn may have been considerably cheaper and easier than refurbishing the medieval farmhouse which probably existed in the immediate vicinity (the building was completely isolated in 1838) (S1).