SDO15628 - Blynfield Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Statement of Significance

'South West Archaeology Ltd. was commissioned to undertake a statement of significance on the historic farm buildings at Blynfield Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset. This work was undertaken in order to inform potential development of the site and set the buildings in their historical and archaeological context. Blynfield Farm appears to have been constructed at the beginning of the 19th century probably when the site was acquired by Bruton Grammar School. At this date the site consisted of the farmhouse with a farmyard to the east enclosed by a fine, brick threshing barn to the north and stables and cow houses to the east and south. The extant farmhouse, threshing barn and stables are all grade II listed. Much work was undertaken on the buildings in the late 20th century removing many of the historic details; the outbuildings being converted for domestic and office use and the farmhouse modernised and extended to the south forming a link with the barns. Research has suggested that the site was previously occupied by earlier, possibly medieval, buildings. The architectural fragments used in the later buildings may be from this structure, although equally they could be from other demolished buildings in Shaftesbury, 3 km to the north- east. The only surviving pre-19th century element that appeared in-situ was the first floor structure of the farmhouse kitchen suggesting that the early 19th century build incorporated an earlier, possibly 16th/17th century building.’