Building Recording At The Vyne, Basingstoke

In 2001/2002 Archaeology South-East undertook for the National Trust a detailed programme of recording and interpretation of the brewhouse at The Vyne, nr. Basingstoke, Hampshire. This work was intended to augment a previous study made by Richard Peats and included a watching brief carried out in 2002 during extensive building works.

The building has had a long and complex constructional history which extends back before the earliest extant work, which dates from c.1526. Without doubt, the early 16th-century remains are the most interesting aspect of the structure, for they are the only surviving part of the crenellated brick-built curtain wall which once surrounded the main mansion. Despite having been heightened when the brewhouse was erected against it, the wall's crenellations are still clearly visible, as indicated in the elevation. This is not the only pre-brewhouse work to survive within the present structure - the roof has been reused from a timber-framed building constructed between 1507 and 1539 (tree-ring dating by Dr Martin Bridge of UCL) and maintains its original assemblage. Given that the date of the roof's initial construction falls precisely within the period when the present mansion at the Vyne was in the process of being dramatically enlarged and modified, and bearing in mind that the ranges around the former basecourt of the Vyne were demolished in the mid 17th century, at the same date as the roof was rebuilt in its present form, the likelihood must be that this roof was reused from a demolished section of the mansion.

In all, nine major phases of construction and alteration were recognized within the brewhouse, demonstrating how the structure was constantly modified and remodelled in order to meet the developing and ever changing requirements of the owners. It was this constant remodelling which allowed the building to survive: the recent major phase of informed repair and adaptation carried out by the National Trust should ensure that the brewhouse continues to fulfil a useful role well into the future.

West elevation of main grange. (Click to view larger version).

East elevation of main grange. (Click to view larger version).