Really interesting barn with very friendly and helpful volunteers to explain the history of the place, construction techniques and with lots of information on the inside. Really worth a visit
Permaculture
Dubbed the "Cathedral of Middlesex" by Sir John Betjeman, Harmondsworth Barn ranks alongside the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey for its exceptional architectural and historic interest. Built in 1426 by Winchester College, 14 years before Gutenberg completed his printing press, it is one of the most complete and unaltered pre-Dissolution buildings in Britain.
Used for agricultural purposes until as late as the 1970s, it fell into disrepair. It was taken over by English Heritage, restored, and is currently managed by the Friends of the Great Barn at Harmondsworth.
The building is only open a couple of days a month, but you can walk around the outside at any time. There is also a granary raised on staddle stones at the same site.
Wlt648
Worth a visit, so close to Heathrow and near the proposed expansion. Let's hope it never happens.
Bella_therapy Corinne R
This is an amazing place. The barn is massive! It's withstood fire and there is a lot to see inside the Barn. It's been used in movies and you can see why. It's like stepping onto a movie set. There is plenty of parking , it's free to get in. Good Covid protocol's in place. There is a pub nearby and a church that has a toilet. It's a good day out. Harmondsworth itself is a really lovely village.
Jason Field1 year ago
An incredible place, outstanding architecture and craftsmanship. Volunteer staff are excellent and know there stuff and have a real passion for protecting and showing off this exceptional example of medieval ingenuity. Well worth a visit any day but especially when local events are on.
Ray2 years ago
This 13th century oak structure is ranked pretty high along other Grade I listed buildings like Westminster Cathedral and Parliament House. It's bit unusual and highly admirable for a timber building that was just used for oat, barley and wheat storage. It also inspired other famous architects who based the Christ Church in New Zealand and a library in Oxford with same design.
It has survived despite being wooden and whey inside which is an invitation for fire and now let's see if it can repel the Heathrow expansion.
Faith S2 years ago
Volunteers are very friendly and provided me with a guide of visiting the barn. Free entry is another attractive point. Lovely architecture
Mark London2 years ago
On a blistering hot day it was a relief to enjoy the cool, shady spaciousness of this magnificent structure.
The volunteers are friendly and very knowledgeable. I learned a lot about the construction and history of the barn and its surroundings.
Used for agricultural purposes until as late as the 1970s, it fell into disrepair. It was taken over by English Heritage, restored, and is currently managed by the Friends of the Great Barn at Harmondsworth.
The building is only open a couple of days a month, but you can walk around the outside at any time. There is also a granary raised on staddle stones at the same site.
It has survived despite being wooden and whey inside which is an invitation for fire and now let's see if it can repel the Heathrow expansion.
The volunteers are friendly and very knowledgeable. I learned a lot about the construction and history of the barn and its surroundings.