Great Coxwell Barn, Oxfordshire Date: 2000–2002 Client: The National Trust

Great Coxwell Barn was built in the early 14th century to store agricultural produce
belonging to the Cistercian monks based at Beaulieu Abbey. William Morris, a regular
visitor to the barn, described it as ‘the finest piece of architecture in England ……
unapproachable in its dignity, as beautiful as a cathedral, yet with no ostentation
of the builder’s art.’

Since 1956 the building has been owned by the National Trust, who appointed us
to oversee the most recent repair programmes. Taking great care to match medieval
materials and construction techniques, our work has included major external fabric
repairs, replacing the stone rubble walling and slates on the roof, and a programme
of internal and external archaeological investigation.