Historic Building Survey Report: Brook Farm, Dane End, Therfield, Royston, Hertfordshire

Allen Archaeology Limited was commissioned by Mr R Evans to undertake a programme of historic building recording as a condition of planning consent for construction of a dwelling following demolition of a barn at Brooks Farm, Dane End, Therfield, Royston, Hertfordshire. The site is located at the north end of the hamlet, on the west side of Danes End, situated in the administrative district of North Hertfordshire District Council, approximately 1.3km southeast of Therfield and 5.1km south-southwest of Royston. The survey comprised six agricultural buildings within a U-shaped farmstead dating back to at least the early 19th century and probably earlier. The majority of structures were timber framed on brick or block foundations with weather boarded elevations and double pitched roofs covered with either corrugated iron sheets or asbestos sheeting. Five phases of development have been recognised and the U-shaped farmstead with now extinct farmhouse were possibly built in the 18th century. Only limited evidence survive of the earliest phase and can be found in some of the timberwork in the barn. Large part of the post and truss construction have been reused and some other original timberwork remains, but the majority of timbers are later 20th century replacements. The south range is a 20th century replacement and comprise an animal shelter, a possible hen house and the 1970s cart shed, or more likely, open fronted cattle shed. The north range was also replaced in the 1960s - mid-1970s and comprise a potential former stable and an open fronted cattle shed. The agricultural buildings have been part of a farmstead dating back to at least the early 19th century. There is very little surviving of the earliest phase of the farm buildings, perhaps limited to parts of the cross framed timber barn which may be a former threshing barn of 18th century date, and even here much of the timber has been replaced. The brick foundation has in places been encased by modern cement.