Framespotting on my English Holiday

Posted on August 22, 2007 by Ansley Holder

Whit and I took a trip to the United Kingdom this summer. Although it was primarily for vacation, we visited a few English timber frame buildings, of course. Okay, we visited a TON of timber frames while we were there. Since our family and friends are probably sick and tired of seeing our photos and hearing our tales about these fabulous timber frames in England, I think it is time I share my experiences with the general public.

Being mostly familiar with the timber frame and post and beam structures in the Southeast United States, I was exited to be able to see the timber frame structures that inspired and influenced the first timber frames built in America over three hundred years ago and many of the historic reproduction timber frames currently being built in the States.

These are my top three favorite timber frames in random order:

-Heavy timber roof at Westminster Hall in London. Connected to the Houses of Parliament and right next to Big Ben, this historic timber structure has seen many notable events through the centuries. It was once the castle of the King of England, and William Wallace's trial took place here. The timber framed trusses have elaborate carvings of angels on the ends of the hammer beams. It was quite hard to photograph since it was so large, the trusses span sixty-seven feet! We were fortunate to be able to enter the building that day because it is often closed to the public since the Queen frequently entertains in Westminster Hall.

-Barley Hall, the restoration of a medieval period timber frame structure in Old York. The timber frame is a townhouse-like residence in the city. The York Archaeological Trust oversaw the restoration and preservation of this timber frame and for a small fee a visitor can see how people ate, slept, entertained guests and lived in medieval times. The house was built around 1360 and restored in 1992. It is great that the town realizes the importance of maintaining and restoring timber frame structures like Barley Hall.

-Hall of the Merchant Adventurers: Now doesn't this sound very "swashbuckling" and pirate-esque? This old timber framed building is on the outskirts of the old town of York and was built by the Merchant Adventurers of York between 1357-1361. It is the oldest surviving medieval guild hall in northern Europe. The merchant guild of York hired a carpenter to build this building as their headquarters. The group was made up of business men and women who made their living importing and exporting items, thus the name merchant adventurers. We were able to tour the building, even though the members of the Company of Merchant Adventurers were meeting that afternoon in the building. It also houses a gorgeous chapel in the basement.

In addition to spending time in timber framed museums, we also slept and ate in heavy timber buildings. We had to stay with our theme, right? My favorite meal was in a 15th century timber frame that houses St. William's College and a fairly formal restaurant directly behind the York Minster. This was by far the best food I ate while there. We spent one night in a converted post and beam barn off the beaten path of the average tourist.


I find it absolutely amazing to hear the stories of how these structures were built--to learn about where the timber came from, the carpenter's names, and the reason a building was built. To stand in a timber framed chapel in York and think of all of the prayers that have been said over the years in that very spot where I stand is both humbling and inspiring. I took this trip as a reminder of the fact that in 500 years people will be looking at our structures and the materials and methods we use to create buildings. I am proud to be able to have a hand in building timber frame churches, houses, and commercial buildings that will be considered historic in a few hundred years.

Tagged: timber frame preservation, historic timber frame, post and beam, timber frame, heavy timber, timber frame restoration, heavy timber roof, timber frame construction

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