Heritage Open Day
Winterbourne Medieval Barn
1-5pm
Heritage Open Days celebrate England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering FREE access to properties across the country that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/
The national theme for Heritage Open Days in 2024 is "Routes, Networks & Connections".
Winterbourne Medieval Barn is delighted to be taking part in the Heritage Open Days Festival for our 20th year! This event marks the anniversary of the first ever public event held at the Barn, and as a bunch of volunteers we are very proud of how much we have achieved since then... and proud to be taking part in this great nationwide heritage festival.
Winterbourne Medieval Barn, built in 1342 for Lord of the Manor Sir Thomas de Bradston, is a unique surviving example of a great medieval Barn built by a gentry family. Constructed using green timber methods, the cutting edge technology of the time, it is a magnificent example of a raised-cruck building and the medieval builders' craft.
So do come and look around this beautiful building, set in rural South Gloucestershire near Bristol. Find out the history of this magnificent barn and how it was built, and admire the stunning original medieval roof timbers. Hear the story of how it was almost lost in the 1980s, then saved by local supporters in the 1990s, and how it is used today!
The Barn will be open for you to look around at your leisure, and some of our volunteer tour guides will be on hand to answer any questions. Our pop up café will be serving a small selection of drinks and snacks (cash or card accepted).
We will be open from 1pm – 5pm. Please arrive at any time within this time slot and stay for as long, or little as you like. Entry is free. Assistance and well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome. Dogs remain the responsibility of the owner within the grounds of the Barn.
There are brown signs on Winterbourne High Street and Beacon Lane directing you along Church Lane to Winterbourne Medieval Barn. Look out for the Heritage Open Days pink signs and bunting at the entrance to the Barn. Limited car parking is available on site. Plenty of cycle parking. The Barn is a pleasant ten minute rural walk from Winterbourne High Street.
St Michael’s Church next to the Barn, with medieval wall paintings and links to Thomas de Bradeston, will also open for Heritage Open Days. Check their listing on the HODs website for times. You might also like to explore Monks Pool Nature Reserve behind the church.
