53 And 55, Mill Street

53 and 55 Mill Street are a terrace of two cottages built in 1721, as indicated by a dated brick panel on the front wall. The cottages are constructed of local red brick in Flemish bond on a high plinth, with part of the structure rendered and sandstone rubble footings. The south end wall is now roughcast rendered. They feature a tiled roof with a shared axial ridge stack and a plain eaves cornice made of three courses. The buildings are one storey with an attic, including four gable dormers and four hung sash windows in slightly enlarged openings. Each cottage has a flight of four repaired steps leading up to the front door. The brick panel displays the initials MB and the date 1727. These cottages are associated with a charity established by the will of Thomas Handley, proved in 1740, intended for the benefit of the minister of the Baptist Chapel. The initials MWNB may refer to members of the Bass family, who were recorded in Gamlingay in the 16th century. By the 18th century, the property was owned by the Huckle family.