York Historic Environment Record

The 1853 Ordnance Survey Map depicting the site of Manor Farm Barns shows that buildings are present, albeit in a different layout to the present configuration and they front onto Grove Lane. Grove lane was also known as the ‘Outgang’ pertaining to its time used as a route for cattle heading to pasture (at this time Grimston had 161 acres of pasture much on the Great Moor- Grimston Moor). There are no names attached to the dwellings on the 1853 map, however it is known that Manor House Farm (Grade II listed) is dated to the mid- 18th century, therefore the East Barn and other associated farm houses and buildings may be contemporary with this building.

By 1910 the farm buildings have been developed to create an enclosed courtyard taking the form of the present structural arrangement. Grove Lane has evolved into Elvington Lane and the previously unnamed buildings on the 1853 map are now known as Pigeon Cote Farm and Manor House. Between 1853 and 1910 is appears that there was major building work and restructuring of the area in and around the development site.

The Ordnance Survey Map of 1929 shows that by this time the farm courtyard has been roofed over. At this period the associated name with these structures remains ‘Pigeon Cote Farm’, with the Manor House to the south. By 1953 the most significant evidence from the cartographic record is that the farm has changed name to ‘Hill Farm’ and Manor House retains its original name.

The six buildings that have been recorded at Manor Farm occupy an area of circa 600m² and are set around a roofed courtyard. All the buildings have been built using handmade bricks laid on a common bond pattern and joined with mortar. The roofs of the west barn, the south cow house, the west cow house and the four bay shed have a pitched form, whereas the two pigeon cote buildings have a hipped roof form. All the buildings have a King post roof truss structure, covered with blue grey slate works and in part asbestos sheets.

The buildings were recorded ahead of conversion in 2017. The buildings had most recently been used as a piggery and the survey of the buildings revealed:
 The East Barn is the earliest of all the 6 structures that make the present complex. This barn is likely to be 18th century in date. The barn originally had an upper floor.
 The overall design of the complex is of interest due to the inclusion of two grand Pigeon Cotes positioned either end of the main structure facing the street frontage.
 The South Cow House has to its southern external elevation a unique curved wall. This architectural statement only occurs on this elevation. The location of this curve may have been deliberate to enable more effective driving of livestock into the courtyard.

L S Archaeology, 2017, Manor Farm Dunnington (Unpublished document). SYO1975.