The Old Cottage

The Old Cottage is a row of three cottages and a shop located on High Street in Bidford-on-Avon. Dating from the mid-17th century, with a wing added around 1835, the building features coursed lias stone, some timber framing, and brick at the rear. The far-projecting tall wing is made of brick with a white-washed rendered front, topped with a tile roof and brick chimneys. Originally designed as three units, it has been extended to form an L-plan. The structure is one storey with an attic that includes three dormers, while the wing has three storeys and a single window range. There are three entrances: No. 40 features a simple hood on brackets, and No. 42 has an old plank door. The windows are mostly late 19th and early 20th century casements, with Nos. 40 and 42 having ground floor oriels. The Tudor Gothic wing has a gable end facing the street, with pierced bargeboards around the eaves and windows that have glazing bars and hood moulds. The shop front, dating from the late 19th or early 20th century, includes two bay windows. Inside, No. 38 has winder stairs, while No. 40 features exposed ceiling beams, some exposed framing, a former through passage, and an open fireplace with a 20th-century grate, along with stone flag floors. There are late 19th century additions at the rear, and the shop wing is built onto the front.