Historic Building Recording at Barn at Hill Top Farm, Aldwark, Derbyshire

In 2024 Archaeological Research Services Ltd (ARS Ltd) was commissioned to undertake a programme of historic building recording to Historic England's Level 2 Standard of a barn at Hill Top Farm, Aldwark, Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire, East Midlands, DE4 4HW prior to proposed development work on the site. This historic building recording was equated to Historic England's Level 2 standard (HE 2016). The Level 2 survey sought to provide a descriptive record of the structures observed at the time of the survey. The survey has consisted of a written, drawn and photographic account. Hill Top Farm is included on the Derbyshire Historic Environment Record (Ref: MDR20479). The entry describes the farm as 'partially extant', but it is, in fact, virtually complete. The site of a medieval farmstead, immediately southwest of Hill Top, is also included on the DHER (Ref: MDR2826), suggesting evidence of occupation in the 13th and 14th centuriespossibly indicative of village shrinkage. Hill Top farmhouse appears externally to be predominantly of 19th-century construction, but the historic mullioned window in the gable end suggests that it has evolved from an earlier structure. Similarly, the old farmhouses in Aldwarkspecifically at Lidgate Farm and Green Farmare attributed to the 17th century. The barn at Hill Top Farm may be contemporary with these earlier buildings. Its observed elevations and core structural arrangement indicate that the stone-built barn was constructed over a single timeframe, with later phases of alteration and repair. The structure originated as a four-cell combination barn, historically providing stabling and cow house functions on the ground floor, with an oversailing feed or hayloft above. This upper level was accessed via an external stair and featured north and south pitching doors. The courses of structural tie stones for the double skin walls reflect a high standard of construction, aligning with the extended use of the building. A large opening in the east gable later accommodated cattle, with a modern trough and cow drinker still in situ. However, this section may have previously served as a cart store before alterations to the southern perimeter. These modifications may have affected ground levels, prompting the installation of brick piers to support that end of the building. The existing buildings fabric suggests that the rectangular plan form of the barn has remained consistent since it first appeared on late 19th-century mapping. The 1884 Ordnance Survey (surveyed between 1877 and 1879) shows a building on the site that aligns with the current structure, though the building fabric suggests much earlier origins. By the 1898 OS plan, the shape of the farmyard had changed, with the addition of a small square structurethe stable with loft overat the southeast corner of the yard. In the 20th century, a single-storey addition was made to the west gable, along with further alterations to the barns surrounding enclosures. A drop in ground level adjacent to the east gable may have required stabilization with red brick piers during this time. The machine-cut trusses and rafter beams likely date from this later phase as well. More recent mapping shows significant changes in livestock management, including the construction of a large, metal-framed and corrugated sheet cow shed to the south of the barn. This new structure likely reduced the barns role to feed and equipment storage. The present clay tile roof appears to be a replacement from the late 20th or early 21st century and is likely contemporaneous with the adjacent former agricultural building, which has since been adapted for use as holiday accommodation. The dismantling of the modern cow shed, along with these renovations, illustrates how historic buildings like those at Hill Top Farm are adapted for new uses, reflecting broader changes in rural economy and land management.