Exploring Grange Barn

Explore the unexpected at Grange Barn and discover the story within its walls. Discover 800 years of history, with activities for the whole family to enjoy during your visit.

Visiting the barn

The barn currently explores varying periods of the history over its 800 years, with particular focus upon the restoration and saving of the property by the community.

The story and images of how terrible the state the barn was in by the mid 1970s are shocking, and the tale of how it was saved is equally as inspiring.

With film footage of the restoration, and personal insight into the process, this is an engaging story of resilience, strong will and passion, which led to the saving of one of Europe's oldest timber buildings from complete destruction.

Untold stories

With 800 years of stories to tell, it is safe to say that there are still many untold tales that the barn has to offer. The team are working hard to explore the mysteries of the barn and the people around it.

Whether it be King Stephen and Queen Matilda, Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall, or a soldier during WW2 who attended a dance, there is certainly a plethora of characters whose stories are just waiting to be explored.

Delve a little deeper into Grange Barn and join a short introductory talk on your visit, run by knowledgeable volunteers. Please speak to the team on arrival for more information.

The life and work of Bryan Saunders

Bryan Evett Saunders was a craftsman born in Coggeshall in 1893. A master wood carver, he developed a reputation for excellence with his high-quality furniture that was celebrated with a good deal of publicity during his lifetime.

His workshop, complete with all his tools and plans has been recreated at Grange Barn and since 2011 it's been housed in a permanent space in a converted byre onsite.

Dogs in Grange Barn

Dogs are welcome all the way around Grange Barn. There is always a water bowl on hand for your four-legged friends, and in the summer they love the cool and shady floors to cool off on.

Adjacent to Grange Barn is a large area of grass, which you are welcome to walk you dog on. Please keep them on a lead, as it is adjacent to the car park. There is a dog waste bin at the top of the track to Grange Barn.