PRESS RELEASE
15 January 2026
Winterbourne Medieval Barn, one of the country’s most significant surviving medieval barns, has secured major funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with additional support from the Garfield Weston Foundation, to carry out urgent structural repairs to its 14th-century roof.
The project will focus on the repair of a critically weakened roof truss dating from 1342. Recent specialist surveys by conservation engineers Mann Williams identified that long-term decay within one of the Barn’s primary structural timbers has compromised its strength, creating a serious risk of partial roof failure if not addressed.
The main Barn will be closed while the works take place, from 19 January 2026 to 13 March 2026.
During this period, specialist heritage contractors Corbels will carry out highly sensitive repairs to the historic fabric, overseen by conservation engineers Mann Williams and supported by South Gloucestershire Council, the building’s owner.
Tim Hayes, Contracts Manager at Corbel Conservation said working on a 14th-century roof truss of this importance requires deep respect for the original craftsmanship, careful engineering and a commitment to preserving as much historic timber as possible.
“The repair will involve carefully removing a defective 2005 steel ‘flitch plate’ and installing a new structural support, together with associated timber and masonry repairs. Temporary supports will be installed to hold the roof safely while work is carried out, including excavation within the historic walls where the truss is seated,” Mr Hayes said.
The Barn’s roof is one of the most important surviving medieval roof structures in the country. Constructed from up to 80 oak trees, it is one of the largest and earliest raised-cruck roofs still standing in England, comparable in scale to the roofs of medieval churches.
Without this urgent intervention, failure of the damaged truss could lead to collapse of part of the roof, water ingress and potentially long-term closure of the Barn, putting both the building and its community role at risk.
Sue Parsons, Chair of Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust, said she is grateful to National Lottery players and the Garfield Weston Foundation for their support.
“This funding is absolutely vital. It allows us to tackle a serious structural threat before irreversible damage occurs, and to protect one of the most remarkable medieval buildings in the South West so that it can continue to be enjoyed, used and valued by our community,” Mrs Parsons said.
Mrs Parsons added that it also provides a rare opportunity for the community to see the process: “Alongside the physical repairs, the project will include a programme of community engagement and learning. Local people, schools and university students will be invited to see the works in progress and learn about medieval construction, conservation engineering and the natural environment of the Barn”.
A professional time-lapse film of the repairs will also be produced and made freely available online.
Winterbourne Medieval Barn, which reopened in 2020 following a National Lottery-funded refurbishment, now hosts a wide range of community events, heritage activities and commercial hires that help keep the building financially sustainable. The truss repair project will ensure these activities can continue safely into the future.
Thanks to National Lottery players, the grant will enable the Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust to safeguard this nationally important Grade II* listed building, ensuring it can continue to serve the community as a heritage and events venue for generations to come.
About Winterbourne Medieval Barn
Winterbourne Medieval Barn is a nationally significant 14th-century building, constructed in 1342 by Thomas de Bradeston, a wealthy medieval landowner. Unlike most surviving great barns, which were built by monasteries or other powerful institutions, Winterbourne was built and used by the lord of the manor, making it a rare and possibly unique example of its kind.
The Barn is renowned for its exceptional raised-cruck timber roof, built using advanced green-oak construction and still largely intact today. Originally 11 bays long, seven survive in full, with walls of local Pennant sandstone, creating one of the finest surviving medieval barns in England.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to
build pride in place and connection to the past.
Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.
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