Upminster Tithe Barn: Restored and off the heritage at risk register
A beautiful restoration and a big win for local heritage
The major restoration project of the 15th-century Upminster Tithe Barn in Havering major restoration project is now complete and the building has officially been removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, making it fit for the future.
The restoration was made possible thanks to funding from the our Lower Thames Crossing, and shows how we’re supporting local communities and protecting the places that matter most.
The barn, one of the oldest and largest thatched buildings in London, had been slowly deteriorating. A leaking roof and damaged timbers meant that without intervention, this rare building could have been lost.
In 2023, it was added to the Heritage at Risk Register, and through the Lower Thames Crossing Designated Funds, we provided £650,000 to support a full restoration, with Historic England adding an extra £97,000 and expert advice.
Together with Historic England, Havering Council and skilled contractors, we funded:
- Re-thatching of the entire roof using around 30 tonnes of water reed (that’s 11,000 bundles!)
- Historic timber frame repairs and brickwork
- New safety features, including lighting, fire alarms, and lightning protection
Two boxing hare finials were added to the top of the roof , a signature touch from the thatching team, named Willow and Hunter by local schoolchildren.
The restoration means the barn is now protected and ready to be enjoyed for decades to come.
Stronger Partnerships for Heritage
As part of this project, we also joined Historic England at Tithe the Bbarn to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which sets out how National Highways and Historic England will work more closely together to protect and celebrate heritage alongside our roads. It’s about balancing progress with preserving the past, and the Upminster Tithe Barn is a great example of what that partnership can achieve.
History of the barn
The Tithe Barn dates from a time when England was in the midst of an economic crisis known as the Great Slump. Trade had collapsed, driving down agricultural prices, rents and what was deemed to be acceptable levels of royal taxation. This played a part in civil uprisings and the outbreak of civil war in 1455 between the Houses of Lancaster and York, subsequently known as the War of the Roses.
