About
Sir John Betjeman called it the 'Cathedral of Middlesex', and Harmondsworth Barn earns the title. Built for Winchester College's manor farm from oaks felled in 1426, it runs nearly 60 metres beneath a roof carried by 13 massive oak trusses, the largest intact medieval timber-framed barn in England. It stored the farm's wheat, barley and oats in sheaves, stayed in agricultural use until the 1970s and was bought by English Heritage in 2011 after years of neglect. Inside, the aisles and towering oak frame form one of the most intact interiors of its era. Volunteers from the Friends of the Great Barn at Harmondsworth open it on a limited number of summer Sundays, so check the calendar first, and reviewers single out how knowledgeable and friendly they are. Tips from visitors: park free behind the barn and look in at St Mary's Church next door. There are no toilets on site, and only assistance dogs are allowed.
ClosedPick a day for times and prices
- Closed
Also open Sun 11 Oct, 11:00–16:00 · Also open Sun 25 Oct, 11:00–16:00
Today, Friday 2 October
- Harmondsworth BarnClosed
Harmondsworth Great Barn will be open 11am-4pm on the second and fourth Sunday of the month from April to October, so: 12 and 26 April 10 and 24 May 14 and 28 June 12 and 26 July 9 and 23 August 13 and 27 September 11 and 25 October
From English Heritage's published calendar, updated 1 October 2026, with dates up to 16 March 2027.
PricingFreeFree for all visitors
Free entry for everyone
Entry
Free for everyone
Pricing details
Free to everyone on open days; the barn opens on selected Sundays only.
ParkingFree parkingFree for all visitors
No charge for anyone.
Parking details
Free English Heritage car park to the rear of the barn, reached by the short spur road off High Street beside The Five Bells pub.
Driving arrival: the EH sat nav point at the barn, at the end of the spur road; the car park is directly behind it.
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