One of London’s oldest thatched buildings is undergoing a major restoration, with master thatchers beginning work on a new roof for the 15th-century Upminster Tithe Barn. The £650,000 project, funded primarily by National Highways through the Lower Thames Crossing scheme, aims to save this rare medieval survival on London’s eastern fringe.
The massive structure, measuring 44 meters long, requires around 11,000 bundles of water reed weighing 30 tonnes for its new roof. Four master thatchers and two apprentices are undertaking the specialized work, which is expected to protect the building for up to 60 years.
“The re-thatching is no mean feat,” says Dr. Steve Sherlock, Heritage Advisor at National Highways. “This is one of the largest thatched barns in Britain, and its preservation is fundamental to educating future generations about our collective history.”
The barn, which dates from around 1450, was built during a period of economic crisis known as the Great Slump, just as England was entering the War of the Roses. It originally belonged to Waltham Abbey, serving as part of their estate when the area was open countryside.
Historic England, which added the barn to its Heritage at Risk Register in 2023, is contributing nearly £100,000 to the project. Dr. Jane Sidell, Principal Inspector of Ancient Monuments, emphasizes the exceptional importance of the building: “Watching the thatchers at work really demonstrates the skill, care and attention needed to look after our most precious historic places.”
The restoration includes repairs to structural timbers and historic brickwork, with the final touch being a pair of decorative boxing hares made from straw that will sit atop the ridge of the new roof. Until recently, the barn served as a museum of local history run by the Hornchurch and District Historical Society.
Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, called the start of thatching works “an exciting milestone” in preserving the borough’s heritage for future generations. The project is expected to take 12 months to complete.
