“The
Barracks” were almshouse in the 18th Century. It is quite plain
to see where
the old doors and windows were for one room up and one down.
During the French Wars, French prisoners were housed there, hence
the name “Barracks”. After the departure of the prisoners,
the buildings were converted to cottages, and, in the Census,
people are referred to as living at “Sir T.C.Millers Barracks”.
The French prisoners are supposed to have quarried the stone
in Quarry Bottom to build most of the stone walls of Upper Froyle.
For a few years after the Second World War, the area was known as “The Square”. The picture below, taken about 100 years ago, shows the left hand ‘wing’ in the panoramic picture above of the Barracks in 1998. |
The ‘aerial’ picture below, taken from the roof of an adjacent cottage, clearly shows the layout of the square. |
The Barracks was Grade 2 Listed in May 1985. English Heritage gives the following information:- |
|
Information from English Heritage, Images of England |