Waxham Great Barn

A Barn with Over 400 Years of History

Standing proudly on the wild north-east Norfolk coast, Waxham Barn has witnessed more than four centuries of change. Built in the last quarter of the 16th century by the prosperous Woodhouse family, the barn was designed not only as a practical agricultural building but also as a striking symbol of their wealth and status.

Throughout its long life, the barn has continually adapted to meet the changing needs of the countryside. Originally used for storing harvested crops and threshing corn, it later provided shelter for cattle and agricultural machinery as farming practices evolved.

By the second half of the 20th century, however, traditional agricultural buildings like Waxham Barn were becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. Without a viable economic use, the building fell into decline. Then, in October 1987, disaster struck when severe storms tore away half of the roof, leaving the barn seriously damaged.

This dramatic event became the catalyst for the barn's rescue. Norfolk County Council acquired the building, and extensive repairs were carried out during the early 1990s to secure its future.

A further phase of restoration followed in 2003, when Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust and Norfolk County Council secured funding to repair the single-storey wings. As part of the innovative TEACH (Training Enterprise and Assessment in Conservation of Heritage) project, one wing was sensitively converted into the café that visitors enjoy

Timings

Monday 14 September:

10.00 - 16.00

Tuesday 15 September:

10.00 - 16.00

Wednesday 16 September:

10.00 - 16.00

Thursday 17 September:

10.00 - 16.00

Location & directions

Waxham Great Barn, Coast Road, Waxham, Norfolk, NR12 0DZ

Directions:

Waxham Great Barn is located on Coast Road in Waxham, Norfolk (Postcode: NR12 0DZ), just off the main coastal road between Sea Palling and Horsey. Turn off the coastal lane into the farm area where the barn and its accompanying cafe sit right next to the dunes. Location Details Address: Coast Road, Waxham,-on-Sea, Norfolk, NR12 0DZ Grid Reference: TG 43911 26202 Proximity: A short walk from Waxham Beach, famous for its local grey seal colonies.

Contact on day:

Historic Norfolk

Telephone number:

+441603629048

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

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