Historic building recording report and monitoring and recording addendum report of Barn at Cucumber Farm, Cucumber Lane, Essendon, Hertfordshire

A analytical record of the barn was undertaken in 2015 by Archaeological Solutions. Technical analysis was undertaken to provide descriptions and phasing of the building accompanied by drawn and photographic surveys and supported by archival research. Monitoring and recording was carried out by Wardell Armstrong following the removal of external and internal boarding during the planned conversion to residential. Descriptions were compiled of the newly exposed fabric and additional drawn and photographic surveys completed. Preliminary Level 3 recording conducted in 2015 found a modest three-bay barn of probable mid- to late 17th century date, reusing much earlier material from a 16th century or earlier agricultural building. The building has a standard, and fairly systematic construction, with a porch added on the eastern side in the 19th century. Historic building monitoring and recording was carried out during planned works and following the removal of external and internal boarding to augment the previous Level 3 survey of the barn. It utilised a fairly systematic construction with a clasped side purlin roof. Diagnostic features included splay-cut and chamfered principal posts, raking struts clasping the purlins and short-bladed scarf joints pointing to a mid-late 17th century date for construction. Exposure of historic fabric revealed the primary-braces were robust and curved, while wind-braces originally provided lateral strengthening, this perhaps refining the date towards the middle rather than later 17th century. A comprehensive pattern of assembly marks was also observed.