Barn at Emms Farm - Emms Lane
Barn at Emms Farm - Emms Lane


Next to the farmhouse at Emms Farm is a lovely timber-framed thatched barn. Although, like the farmhouse, it is a Grade II listed building, it has actually been rebuilt on several occasions since it was first erected. Most recently by its current owner, Dr Edwards, who had it comprehensively dismantled and restored in 2007–8.

It is thought that the original barn dated back at least to 1701 as there are records of it being licenced to James and John Hodges, tenants of the farm at the time, for use as a Quaker meeting house.

The first connection to the Emm family seems to date back to 1769 when a 17 year old Joseph Emm, who seems to have been working as a labourer on the farm at the time, carved his initials and age on one of the walls of the barn.

IE 1796 APRIL III

JOSEPH Y 17

[the initial J was conventionally shown as I]

Although in later life Joseph became a prominent local farmer, leasing several farms in Bratton, it is more likely that the farmhouse was named after his brother, James, and his wife Mary who lived there from 1812 to 1842.

'Emms Farm' by John Hamilton-Wilkes

Historic England listing for house

Historic England listing for barn





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Bratton History Association.

The Bratton History Association aims to provide all those curious about local history with an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and discover more about the history of Bratton and Wiltshire. Activities include monthly meetings, talks by professional historians, visits to places of interest to historians, and our own local history project.

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