Lyscombe Barns are a series of historic agricultural buildings, including a late mediaeval threshing barn and 19th century cattle stalls, which are located on the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Lyscombe Nature Reserve. Recently acquired with funding from Natural England, the reserve consists of 335 acres of chalk downland, grassland, wild-flower meadow and ancient woodland, and holds a number of prestigious designations, including a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a 12th Century grade II* listed chapel.
We have designed the renovation of the buildings for use as a private dwelling, including a library and creative studio space. The original footprint and form of the mediaeval barn will be reinstated, with a timber cruck frame roof built from home-grown Douglas fir. A verandah will be added along the eastern elevation of the new barns, providing access along their length, without creating an internal corridor.
Three modern barns to the east will be demolished, and the hard-standing of the farmyard broken up, so that a wild-flower meadow can be sown down to the Little Piddle chalk stream that runs along the site.
