Restoring a Historic Heritage Building

Located in Upminster, Tithe Barn is one of the London Borough of Havering’s oldest thatched buildings, dating from between 1420 and 1440. Considered a nationally important archaeological site, the barn is designated a scheduled monument.

The barn was added to Historic England’s Heritage at risk register in 2023 and, as a response to grants received from National Highways via the Lower Thames Crossing Work and Historic England, the project began on-site in October 2024 to restore the barn’s structure and roof.

Measuring 44 metres in length, it is thought to be one of the largest thatched barns in Britain. The project involved the removal and replacement of the thatch roof, including several timber repairs to the existing frame. Approximately 11,000 bundles of water reed were used for the building, and a pair of thatched boxing hares were added as finials on top of the roof.

The restoration project was a partnership between National Highways, the London Borough of Havering, and Historic England. Works were carried out by Lexden Contracts Ltd, with support from specialists Essex Oak Frame and Simply Thatch.