Tudor Barn...

I popped back to Middleton this morning to check out the RSPB reserve that is on the Middleton Hall estate - unfortunately it wasn't that suitable for people with limited mobility (Me). I did see a grebe and some swans on the lake though and also got a nice picture of the Hall and these of the old Tudor Barn on the site. You can see more here. The building is a timber box frame on an older red brick base probably dating back to the 12th century. It is now in a very dilapidated state but when it was built it was built from fine quality materials by good craftsmen. All joints were formed by pegged mortice and tenon - some of which you can see in one of the smaller pictures. At the time of building a skilled carpenter or mason would have received sixpence (2.5 p) a day and a meal of meat and drink (usually ale). Today I settled for a hot chocolate in the courtyard cafe.