It may be one of the most magnificent and historically significant buildings in the Yorkshire Dales National Park but the Tithe Barn at Bolton Abbey had languished as storage for years, facing an unclear future. When the Bolton Abbey Estate decided to press ahead with an application to convert this agricultural building into a prestigious wedding venue, they approached us as specialists in conservation architecture. A 16th century oak timber frame contributes to the building’s outstanding heritage significance and the project was made even more complex by the fact that it’s part of a scheduled ancient monument, in a conservation area, with roosting bats and residents nearby. Unsurprisingly, we worked carefully and closely with the owners and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority before finalising a scheme that conserves this iconic building and gives members of the public the chance to appreciate its internal structure. Opened in August 2018 with one of the biggest timbered aisles in the north of England, the barn now provides one of the largest, most spectacular exclusive-use spaces in which to get married. For more information about The Tithe Barn please visit Cripps and Co.