| Description | Hare Park Farm, Walton. Model farm originating in the early 18th century.
Hare Park Farm was the subject of an archaeological assessment Peter Thornborrow (Senior Historic Buildings Officer WYAS) in 2002. The fieldwork record sheet and photographic images produced by the assessment are held by WYAAS (Thornborrow, P.H. (WYAS). 2002). The survey was probably undertaken in order to write a building recording specification prior to the repair of the range as part of a Stewardship grant scheme.
In the written specification Thornborrow identifies the archaeological interest in Hare Park Farm:
The farm is an estate which formerly belonged to the Walton Hall estate, owned by the famous 19th century naturalist, Charles Walton. Walton followed 'model' farming practises which may have influenced the design of the farm.
The farm house has a two span roof. The earliest rear portion dates from the early 18th century and is typical in having quoined angles, three light flat faced mullioned windows and a doorway with composite jambs. To the north of the building are a quadrangle group of farm buildings with ranges of varying date. It is these building that were affected by the stewardship scheme.
Building 1. Early 18th century two storey granary made of hand made brick. The windows have segmental arches and there is an external stone staircase. The roof is four bay with open trusses.
Building 2. 19th century brick dovecote which retains nesting boxes. The roof is a modern replacement.
Building 3. Mid to late 19th century stone range with a two span roof. Each spans has a cart entry. The interior of this range provides a covered yard with the roof supported on cast iron columns
Building 4. Large stone barn with stone slate hipped roof of probable early 19th century date. The roof is of eleven bays with queen post trusses. Walls have arrow slit ventilators and 'V' dressed quoins. The barn has two opposing tall semi circular arched cart entries. On the field side are the scars of a semi octagonal horse gin engine house. On the inner face of the west and north walls are slots associated with threshing machine gear shafts and belt drives. Built against the north end of the barn is a lean to shed which would have housed the machinery.
(Thornborrow, P.H. (WYAS). 2002. 'Building Recording Specification. Hare Park Farm, Walton. Hare Park Lane, off High Street, Crofton').
Hare Park Farm was the subject of a planning application in 2004 for 'Conversion of 2 barns to 2 dwellings' (Wakefield Council planning reference number 04/99/58830/D). Ian Sanderson (Principal Archaeologist. WYAS) provided the consultation response. Sanderson considered the buildings to be of listable quality and as such deserved sympathetic treatment. It was also recommended that the building be subjected to a drawn and photographic survey prior to conversion (Sanderson, I. (WYAS). 2004). |