The Smithy

The Smithy is a cottage and former smithy located in Ellesmere Rural, likely dating from the late 17th century with later additions and alterations. The building features roughcast red brick and probably timber framing, topped with a slate roof. It has a two-cell central-chimney layout with a flush gable on the right side. The structure is one storey high with a gable-lit attic. A four-panel door, with the top panels now glazed, is situated under a gabled hood at the far left, accompanied by a 19th-century segmental-headed casement window immediately to the right. A central red brick ridge stack is present, and there is a low gabled range beneath the flush gable that includes a horses' entrance to the smithy on the right. A catslide outshut extends to the rear on the right side. Although the interior of the cottage could not be inspected during the resurvey in March 1987, the smithy at the right end of the building contains a forge, anvil, hand-operated bellows, and a complete set of blacksmith's tools. The smithy ceased operations around 1970.