Heritage Open Day
Winterbourne Medieval Barn
1-4pm
Heritage Open Days celebrate England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering FREE access to properties across the country that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/
The national theme for Heritage Open Days in 2025 is Architecture.
Winterbourne Medieval Barn, built in 1342 for Lord of the Manor Sir Thomas de Bradston, is a unique surviving example of a great medieval Barn built by a gentry family. Constructed using green timber methods, the cutting edge technology of the time, it is a magnificent example of a raised-cruck building and the medieval builders' craft.
So do come and look around this beautiful building, set in rural South Gloucestershire near Bristol. Find out the history of this magnificent barn and how it was built, and admire the stunning original medieval roof timbers. Hear the story of how it was almost lost in the 1980s, then saved by local supporters in the 1990s, and how it is used today!
The Barn will be open for you to look around at your leisure, and some of our volunteer tour guides will be on hand to answer any questions. Our pop-up café will be serving a small selection of drinks and snacks (cash or card accepted).
We will be open from 1pm – 4pm. Entry is free but it is helpful if you pre-book a slot on Ticketsource. Please arrive at any time within this time slot and stay for as long, or as little, as you like. You can just turn up without booking, but please bear with us if it is crowded.
Assistance and well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome. Dogs remain the responsibility of the owner within the grounds of the Barn.
There are brown signs on Winterbourne High Street and Beacon Lane directing you along Church Lane to Winterbourne Medieval Barn. Look out for the Heritage Open Days pink signs and bunting near the entrance to the Barn. Limited car parking is available on site. Plenty of cycle parking. The Barn is a pleasant ten minute rural walk from Winterbourne High Street, served by buses Y1, Y2 and Y6.
St Michael’s Church next to the Barn, with medieval wall paintings and links to Thomas de Bradeston, will also open for Heritage Open Days. Check their listing on the HODs website for times. You might also like to explore Monks Pool Nature Reserve behind the church but remember that the Barn car park will be locked after 4pm.
