Building record MLI125632 - Old Smithy, Eastfields, Bishop Norton

Summary

Former blacksmith's workshop, likely dating to the early to mid 19th century.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Full Description

The Old Smithy on Eastfields is a single story building constructed out of loosely coursed limestone rubble with red brick quoins. The smithy has a pitched roof covered with red pantiles. The southern elevation has two inserted windows. One is quite small and has been blocked with red brick, and the other is a large, modern window. The eastern elevation is blank apart from a very small inserted window. The northern elevation has two double doorways; the one on the east end is likely original, as it has the same brick quoin detail, and the one to the west is a later insertion. The western elevation of the building is not visible in the available photographs. {1} The blacksmith's workshop likely dates to the early to mid 19th century. It was recorded in the first issue of White's Directory in 1856. A smithy is recorded in the same location as the extant building on both the 1st edition 6" Ordnance Survey County Series 1:10560 map from the 1880s, and the 2nd edition 25" Ordnance Survey County Series 1:25000 map from 1905. {2}{3}{4} The building was the subject of a programme of historical research, conducted in January 2020 to inform its proposed conversion to residential use. The exact date of its construction is uncertain; a blacksmith is recorded in the 1841 census for Bishop Norton, but the building may also have been recorded in a complex of buildings on a 1824 map. Later census records have a blacksmith in the village until at least 1937, but the exact date of when the smithy closed is also unknown. The building has been used as storage for a significant amount of time since the end of its blacksmithing function. The structure is single-storey with a steeply pitched, red pantile-covered roof. It is built of limestone rubble with brick quoins and detailing around the door and window openings. The northern elevation has 2 large double doors, whilst the eastern elevation has a single, small window opening. The southern elevation has 2 windows, one of which has been blocked with red brick, and 2 or possibly 3 blocked doorways. The western elevation has had a significant area of repairs done in red brick, and may show the shadow of a former building outline. This possible structure does not appear on any maps, and therefore its date or usage could not be determined. The interior of the smithy is divided into 2 rooms, with a brick partition wall. {5} Further investigation of the building was conducted in August 2020, during its conversion to residential use. Various 20th century external modifications of the building were identified during the recording, including the addition of two new entrance openings to the northern elevation. It was noted during the conversion that the interior had very few original internal or specialist fittings and fixtures remaining. {6}{7}

Sources/Archives (7)

  •  Website: Google. 2006->. Google Maps and Street View. www.google.co.uk/maps. Accessed 04/12/2019.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: William White. 1856. History, Gazetteer and Directory of Lincolnshire - Second Edition. p.219.
  •  Map: Ordnance Survey. 1883-1888. 6 Inch County Series Map - First Edition. 1:10560. SK 99 SE.
  •  Map: Ordnance Survey. 1902-06. 25 Inch County Series Map - Second Edition. 1:2500. SK 99 SE.
  •  Report: Austin Heritage Consultants. 2020. The Old Smithy, Bishop Norton. -.
  •  Report: Neville Hall. 2020. The Old Smithy, Eastfields, Bishop Norton. NH site code: EFBN20.
  •  Archive: Neville Hall. 2020. The Old Smithy, Eastfields, Bishop Norton. LCNCC 2020.49.

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Location

Grid reference Centred SK 98540 92557 (11m by 9m) Surveyed
Civil Parish BISHOP NORTON, WEST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE

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Related Events/Activities (2)

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Record last edited

May 13 2021 12:24PM

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