High Weald AONB

Straw was taken from the barn to cattle yards and stables to be used as bedding for livestock. The resulting manure was then forked into carts and returned to fertilise the surrounding farmland. Ancillary buildings developed within or around these yards. These, and are usually accompanied by cow sheds and/or a stable. Buildings for cattle faced onto or were sited within these yards. These mostly comprised open-fronted shelter sheds but cow houses with doors along one side are also present: the latter can be difficult to differentiate from stables. Internal cattle yards typically face south and east to capture sun and light, the openings being concentrated on the yard sides of the buildings.