The Barn at Marcham Priory: History and Conservation of a Tudor-Era Treasure

A Historic Site with Monastic Roots

Marcham Priory is a historic site in the village of Marcham, Oxfordshire, with origins tracing back to the Middle Ages. The manor of Marcham was held by the Abingdon Abbey from at least the 10th century until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538. After Abbot Thomas surrendered the Abbey’s lands to the Crown in 1538, King Henry VIII granted the Marcham estate to new private owners in 1546​. It was around this post-Dissolution period, in the mid-16th century, that the small building now known as the barn at Marcham Priory was constructed. Despite its name, Marcham Priory was likely never a formal priory of monks; rather, the site’s monastic name reflects its medieval ownership. The property passed through notable families over the centuries, from Tudor-era owners like the Boxe and Unton families, to the Fettiplaces in the Elizabethan period, and later to 18th–19th century owners such as the Calvert and Duffield families. These successive stewards left their mark on the site by building new residences and adapting older ones. Today, a substantial Victorian house (itself called “The Priory”) stands on the grounds, but adjacent to it survives the far older structure, a mid-16th-century building that is the focus of our interest.

The 16th-Century Barn: Architectural and Historical Significance

The barn approximately 10 metres south of the Victorian Priory house is in fact a mid-16th-century structure, essentially a small Tudor house, that has remarkably endured to the present day with minimal alteration. This building is protected as a Grade II* listed building, recognising it as a particularly important piece of England’s built heritage. In architectural terms, it is a gem of the Tudor period: built of roughly coursed limestone rubble with a gabled stone-slate roof, and featuring original stone dressings and timber details​. The front elevation still contains its Tudor-arched doorway and stone-mullioned windows with leaded glass, authentic 16th-century features that have never been replaced​. Inside, the barn’s layout is unusually sophisticated for its size. It follows a three-unit floor plan common in late-medieval houses, complete with a traditional timber screened cross-passage (a hallway dividing the service rooms from the main hall), yet it also incorporates a then-new “lobby-entry” arrangement at the rear​​. This combination of a medieval-style through-passage with an emerging Elizabethan-era lobby entry is very rare. It indicates the building was experimenting with architectural ideas of its time, perhaps serving a special purpose. In fact, architectural historians P.S. Spokes and E.M. Jope, who studied the building in 1959, noted that its peculiar plan suggests it may have been used as a temporary residence or an audit house, essentially a lodging where abbey officials or estate owners could stay and conduct manor business​. This interpretation makes sense in the context of Marcham’s history: after the Dissolution, the new secular owners of former monastic estates often needed an administrative house on site. The Marcham Priory barn may well have fulfilled that role, hosting estate gatherings or accounting sessions in the 1500s.

Beyond its plan, the barn’s historical authenticity is striking. Many of its interior details are intact, from chamfered oak beams and joists to the original fireplaces with molded stone surrounds​​. Walking into this barn is like stepping back into the Tudor era. One can still see the craftsmanship of the mid-1500s on display: the stop-chamfered timbers (with their edges laboriously cut away for decoration), the oak doorframes with carved door heads, and the remnants of a winding staircase by the central chimney stack​​. The roof structure above is a six-bay collar-truss design with curved wind braces, a type of timber roof construction once common in the 16th century​. All these elements survived because, remarkably, the barn was never significantly rebuilt or modernised in later periods. It seems to have been left largely in its original state after its initial period of use.

Chamfer Stops

A Rare Time Capsule with Minimal Alteration

Over the centuries, this barn at Marcham Priory saw comparatively little change, a fact that makes it exceptionally valuable to architectural conservationists. By the 19th and 20th centuries, the building was no longer used as a dwelling at all, but rather as an outbuilding on the estate​. (In one record it was noted as being “now only used as an out-house”​, essentially relegated to a storehouse or agricultural use.) While this decline in status might sound unfortunate, it actually helped preserve the barn’s historic fabric. Because it wasn’t converted into a modern home or subject to heavy renovation, its original Tudor character was never obscured by Victorian or 20th-century alterations. The structure avoided the common fate of old houses being refitted with new windows, partitioned into smaller rooms, or having chimney stacks removed. Apart from the loss of an attic floor and a few minor modifications (one window was altered at some point, and an upper floor was taken out to create more volume for storage), the barn today is essentially the same building that was erected around 1570​. This level of originality is extraordinary, it’s rare for a 450-year-old building to reach the 21st century so close to its original form.

Cross Passage Door

Because of this, the barn provides an outstanding resource for understanding Tudor vernacular architecture. Montez Architecture’s team, in studying the building, has been able to observe up-close the construction techniques and materials of the period: the way the limestone rubble was laid in the walls, the use of oak for both structural beams and finer interior carpentry, and the early use of brick in the double-flue chimney. Historic photographs from the 1930s have been identified to further aid our understanding of the site’s evolution. These early photos, taken nearly a century ago, show the barn in much the same condition as it is today, confirming that even as of the 1930s no substantial changes had been made. Such images are proving invaluable in our current work, as they provide a baseline for the building’s 20th-century appearance and help guide any interpretation or restoration. By comparing the historic photos to the present condition, we can spot even subtle changes (for instance, if any doors or windows were added or removed in the interim) and ensure that our conservation approach is informed by how the structure looked in the past. In the case of the Marcham Priory barn, the photos reinforce just how well-preserved and original this building is, truly a rare time capsule of the Elizabethan era tucked away in an Oxfordshire village.

1930s photo of cross passage

Montez Architecture’s Survey and Conservation Approach

Montez Architecture is currently carrying out a detailed survey and assessment of significance for the barn and the wider Marcham Priory site. This means our conservation architects and heritage consultants are documenting every aspect of the structure, from photogrammetry scanning its internal spaces, to mapping the different phases of construction, to researching its historical context, in order to fully understand what makes this building special. By carefully analysing the barn’s construction and history, we aim to identify its key heritage values: its architectural merit, its historical associations, its aesthetic character, and its communal value. This ongoing research is the foundation for any future intervention. Our approach is to always let the building “speak” to us through its fabric and history before we propose changes. In practice, this involves meticulous on-site recording (including hand-measured drawings, photogrammetry, and perhaps even materials analysis of the mortar or timber), as well as archival research into documents and maps relating to Marcham Priory. We benefit from previous studies too, for example, the Berkshire Archaeological Journal article from 1959 and a 2007 historic building assessment have provided useful insights that we are building upon. Montez Architecture’s interest in the barn is not merely academic; it is driven by our dedication to historic building conservation and finding the best way to safeguard this Tudor structure for the future.

Crucially, our and the clients philosophy is to prioritise careful conservation and sensitive adaptation. We believe that any changes to such an important building must be minimal, respectful, and reversible wherever possible. Our ethos is rooted in the idea that historic buildings are “continuously evolving entities that must adapt to survive, ensuring their essence and character are preserved for future generations”​. In the case of the Marcham Priory barn, this means we are exploring options for its use that will give it a sustainable new life without undermining what makes it historically significant. For instance, if the barn were to be converted for a new function (be it a community space, a dwelling, or an interpretive centre), we would seek solutions that work within the existing structure, using the large volume of its main hall rather than subdividing it, or inserting any necessary modern services (like heating or lighting) in a discreet manner that doesn’t disturb historic fabric. The building’s most distinctive features, its windows, doorways, roof structure, and interior timber partitions, will be protected and showcased in any proposal.

Roof Structure, minus attic floor

Already, our survey has revealed just how intact these features are, which reinforces our commitment to a “conservation-first” approach. For example, the original Tudor door in the front archway still hangs on its 16th-century strap hinges​, a remarkable survivor that we will of course retain and conserve. The stone mullioned windows, with their delicate molded frames and leaded glass, are fundamentally sound; rather than consider any replacement, we will focus on gentle repair (such as re-leading glass or lime-mortar pointing where needed) so that the patina of age remains part of the barn’s story. Even the quirky carved details, like the sunk spandrels in the service doorways and the molded overmantels of the fireplaces​​, will be preserved and highlighted. Montez Architecture’s role is to ensure that any necessary interventions, whether enhancement through repair, weatherproofing, or introducing modern amenities, are handled with surgical care and a deep respect for the building’s original design. In practice, this means exploring creative design solutions, such as installing modern systems in a way that is hidden or blends with historic elements, and using traditional materials (like oak, lime plaster, and stone) for any repairs so that new work is physically and visually compatible with the old.

Sensitive Adaptation and Future Plans

While the barn at Marcham Priory is remarkably unchanged since the 1500s, it now faces the challenge common to many historic buildings: finding a viable use in the modern day. Montez Architecture’s ongoing project is geared towards developing proposals for the barn’s future that balance conservation with practical needs. It’s important to note that these proposals are currently in development, nothing has been finalised yet. We are in a phase of exploration and consultation, considering various options for how the barn and the surrounding priory site could be used and enjoyed in the years to come. Any potential scheme will be rooted in the findings of our significance assessment. For instance, if we confirm that certain rooms or features are particularly significant (say, the central hearth and through-passage that exemplify the building’s unique plan), then those will become focal points around which new uses must be designed. On the other hand, areas that are less sensitive, or have been lost, might offer opportunities for subtle alteration, for example, perhaps inserting a small kitchenette or a WC in a corner that was historically a service area, if that enables a new use like a meeting space. Sensitive adaptation means we strive to make such additions in a way that is gentle and in keeping with the barn’s character.

Windows Mullion Detail

Because the barn is a Grade II* listed structure in a designated conservation area​​, any alterations will undergo rigorous scrutiny in the planning process. We are working in close cooperation with the local planning authority (Vale of White Horse District Council) and relevant heritage bodies. Listed Building Consent will be required for changes, and given the barn’s significance, conservation officers and Historic England advisors will be involved to ensure that the proposals meet high standards of preservation. This collaborative approach is something we welcome, it aligns with Montez Architecture’s ethos of transparency and respect in conservation projects. As architects, we see ourselves as stewards facilitating the barn’s transition into a new chapter of its life, and that involves dialogue with stakeholders at every step. We also recognise that the wider priory site has its own heritage context: the setting includes the Victorian house and the surrounding landscape, which all fall within the Marcham Conservation Area (first designated in 1969 to protect the village’s historic core)​. Our proposals will therefore consider not just the barn in isolation, but how it relates to its environment, the sightlines from the road, the relationship between the old barn and the “new” 19th-century Priory house, and the overall historical ambiance of the site. For example, if public access is envisioned (perhaps occasional heritage open days or community use), we will design any necessary access improvements or signage to be subtle and in keeping with the rural, historic character of the property.

1930s Historic Exterior

In developing plans, we are fortunate to have those 1930s photographs and other archival materials to guide us. They help us interpret features that may now be obscured by vegetation or minor later changes. Using this documentation, we can aim to restore certain aspects of the barn’s appearance to how it looked generations ago, for instance, if an original window opening was boarded up in later years, we might consider reopening it based on photographic evidence, thereby enhancing authenticity. Similarly, the photos inform landscape and setting: they show historic fences, garden layouts or the openness of the surrounding farmyard, which could inspire how we treat the barn’s immediate surroundings in the future design (perhaps recreating a heritage garden or maintaining the open paddock in front of the barn to preserve its visual context).

Fireplace as it is Today

Throughout this process, Montez Architecture maintains a clear focus: conservation-led, reversible design that breathes new life into the Barn at Marcham Priory without compromising its soul. We approach the project with the same care whether we are dealing with a grand medieval church or, as in this case, a humble yet profoundly significant Tudor barn. The ongoing survey and research has deepened our appreciation for just how special this building is, not only as a survivor of the 16th century, but as a piece of living history that connects the community of Marcham to its past. By sharing our findings and plans in this blog, we hope to convey that sense of fascination and responsibility that comes with working on such a site. As our proposals take shape in the coming months, we will continue to prioritise careful conservation and sensitive adaptation at every step. With a plan guided by historical evidence, technical expertise, and a passion for heritage, we are confident that the Barn at Marcham Priory can be conserved and subtly adapted to serve the present-day needs, all while retaining the remarkable authenticity that has defined it for nearly five centuries. In doing so, Montez Architecture aims to ensure that this Tudor treasure remains an integral and cherished part of Marcham’s story for generations to come.

1930s Photo of Fireplace - Little Change

References

• Spokes, P.S., & Jope, E.M. (1959). The Priory, Marcham: a small 16th-century house. Berkshire Archaeological Journal, 57, 86–97.

• Historic England Listing Entry No. 1199599 – The Priory (approximately 10m south of Marcham Priory)​historicengland.org.uk​historicengland.org.uk.

• Victoria County History: Parishes: Marcham, in A History of the County of Berkshire: Volume 4 (1924)​british-history.ac.uk​british-history.ac.uk.

• Marcham Village Website – Historical overview of Marcham’s manor and ownership​en.wikipedia.org​british-history.ac.uk.