Raising the roof! Work started to rescue Tithe Barn in Upminster

Work has officially started on a mammoth 12-month project to rescue a 15^th century Tithe Barn in Upminster from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.

The register gives an annual snapshot of the health of England’s valued historic buildings and places and helps to ensure they can be protected and continue to be enjoyed in the future, through collaborative working.

The structure was identified as being at risk and added to the register in 2023 and through the Lower Thames Crossing scheme, £650,000 of funding is helping to restore the building.

Thanks to close partnership between National Highways, the London Borough of Havering, and Historic England this funding will help safeguard the building and secure its future. The barn is protected as a scheduled monument, the highest level of heritage protection. 

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.

The first phase of restoration includes re-thatching the roof, plus repairs to structural timbers and historic brickwork.

Dr Steve Sherlock, Heritage Advisor for the proposed Lower Thames Crossing, said: “As well as being recognised as a building of historical significance the Tithe Barn in Upminster plays a fundamental part in helping to preserve our heritage and educate future generations of our collective history.

“The barn dates from around 1450 and is originally part of the Waltham Abbey estate. It is thatched with water reed and at 44 metres long is one of the largest thatched barns in Britain. The re-thatching is no mean feat for the team of specialists.”

Four master thatchers and two apprentices are hard at work re-thatching the barn.

Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said: “We’re delighted to be working together with National Highways, Historic England, Lower Thames Crossing scheme and all our partners, to help restore Tithe Barn.

“The start of the thatching works is an exciting milestone and will be a stunning feature of the barn when the restoration is completed.

“As the owners of Tithe Barn, Havering is very proud to have this building as part of the borough’s very proud history.

“The works being carried out will mean we can keep another part of our heritage alive for our residents now and for future generations to come.”

The reed is around 2m in length and around 11,000 bundles will be used, weighing in at around 30 tonnes. The finishing touch will be a pair of boxing hares as finials on top of the new thatched roof which is expected to last between 50 and 60 years.

Historic England is boosting the barn’s restoration with a £97,664 grant along with ongoing specialist advice and support. This funding covers further essential work including timber repairs and treatment of all the external woodwork.

Dr Jane Sidell, Principal Inspector of Ancient Monuments, Historic England added: “Securing the support of National Highways has been instrumental in getting the repair and restoration of this exceptionally important building off the ground. By working together we have developed a conservation scheme that will secure the tithe barn’s future and remove it from the Heritage at Risk Register. Watching the thatchers at work really demonstrates the skill, care and attention needed to look after our most precious historic places so that they can be loved for longer.”

The work is being carried out by Lexden Contracts Ltd, specialists Essex Oak Frame Ltd, Simply Thatch Ltd and design team Purcell, Conisbee and Stace.

For further information contact us at info@lowerthamescrossing.co.uk or by calling 0300 123 5000. You can also get the latest updates on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and our YouTube channel.