Tithe Barn, Dunster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tithe Barn |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Dunster |
| Country | England |
| Completed | 14th century |
The Tithe Barn in Dunster, Somerset, England is a very old building from the 14th century. It was once used to store crops and goods given as a "tithe" – a kind of tax paid to the church. Today, it has been carefully restored and is used as a community hall for local events.
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What is a Tithe Barn?
A tithe barn was a special type of barn where farmers stored a part of their harvest, usually one-tenth, as a payment to the church or a religious group. This payment was called a "tithe." It was a common practice many centuries ago.
The Dunster Tithe Barn's Design
The Dunster Tithe Barn has a unique shape, known as a cruciform plan. This means it looks a bit like a cross from above. The front of the barn, facing east, has large double doors made of strong oak wood. These doors have a special carved edge called a chamfer.
This historic barn is also a "Grade II listed building." This means it's officially recognized as an important building that needs to be protected because of its special history and architecture.
History of the Barn
The Tithe Barn was originally part of the Dunster Priory, which was a religious house for Benedictine monks. It was built in the 14th century. Over hundreds of years, the barn has been changed and updated many times. Because of this, only some of its original features from the 1300s are still visible today.
In 1535, a record called the "Valor Ecclesiasticus" showed that the Dunster Tithe Barn earned about £37 each year. A part of this money, around £6, was sent to the priory in Bath.
Restoring the Barn
Recently, the Somerset Buildings Preservation Trust (SBPT) led a big project to fix up the Tithe Barn. This project cost about £550,000. The goal was to turn the old barn into a modern, multi-purpose community hall. This means it can be used for many different activities by the local community.
The building is owned by the Crown Estate, which is a large property business belonging to the British monarch. They have leased the barn to the Dunster Tithe Barn Community Hall Trust for 99 years at a very low rent. Money for the restoration came from groups like the Heritage Lottery Fund and other supporters.
