Description
Cressing Temple Barns is a historic site between Witham and Braintree, famous for its rare medieval buildings and beautiful gardens. Gifted to the Knights Templar in 1137, it is home to some of the oldest surviving timber barns in England. The site offers a peaceful and educational day out rooted in over 800 years of history.
The attraction features the Grade I listed Barley Barn and Wheat Barn, both built in the 13th century, along with the historic Granary and Farmhouse. Visitors can explore displays explaining the history of the Knights Templar and the changing life of the Essex countryside. The site also includes the restored Tudor Walled Garden, picnic-friendly gardens, and hosts a full programme of events throughout the year.
Admission to Cressing Temple Barns is free, with donations welcomed. There may be admission charges during special events, depending on the event taking place.
Overall, Cressing Temple Barns offers a unique blend of medieval history, architecture, and tranquil gardens. It allows visitors to step back in time while enjoying well-kept outdoor spaces and heritage buildings. This attraction is ideal for history lovers, garden enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking for a calm and meaningful day out in Essex.
Features
- Free
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
- The Barley Barn: The oldest of the two barns, the Barley Barn, was constructed in the 1200s. The timber structure stretches a total of 118 feet and is 45 feet wide. In the 16th century, the barn was altered to fit the common crown-post model of the era. When you visit our site, you will notice the Barley Barn’s roof structure is distinctively different to our Wheat Barn’s roof as it includes several curved bracing timbers.
- The Wheat Barn: Our Wheat Barn retains the most authentic barn structure closest to its original 13th century construction. It is considered to be a masterpiece of Romanesque carpentry, with soaring timbers that give the barn an astonishing, cathedral-like quality.
- The Farmhouse: Built in the 1600s, our Farmhouse, at the centre of our grounds, encompasses all the common features of a typical Essex farmhouse. From its elegant fireplaces to Georgian-style drawing rooms, the Farmhouse is available to hire for corporate meetings. Visitors of the Farmhouse may also spot remnants of the ‘Great House’ built by William Smyth in 1623, which was later destroyed in a fire.
- Tudor Walled Garden: The original Walled Garden was built c. 1550-1600 as a formal pleasure garden situated to the rear of the Great House. When the Great House was demolished, the garden was retained to serve as a kitchen garden for the Farmhouse. The present garden, laid out and planted in 1994-95, is entirely modern but based on historical principles. It contains elements that can be seen in representations of gardens to be found in 15th and 16th century illuminated manuscripts and early printed books.
Cressing Temple Barns runs a full programme of events all year round. To view the latest events, go to what’s on.
6.01 miles
