The Thatched Cottage

The Thatched Cottage is a timber-framed cottage dating from approximately 1600, with extensions added in the 17th, 19th, and 20th centuries. The structure is timber framed with plaster infill and a thatched roof. The original two bays are aligned approximately east-west, with a central chimney stack at the east end. A one-bay extension was added in the 17th century to the east end, followed by a 19th-century extension to the north of the east end, featuring a catslide roof. A 20th-century lean-to extension runs along the remainder of the north side, with a modern tile roof. The south elevation has three 20th-century casement windows and one further window set within a swept dormer. The roof is hipped at the east end.

Inside, the cottage retains jowled posts, straight bracing inside heavy studding, and face-halved and bladed scarf joints in the south wallplate. The original wattle and daub infill remains; one panel is exposed behind glass in the north wall. A continuous axial beam spans both original bays, plain-chamfered with lamb's tongue stops. The unchamfered joists are of horizontal section. The ground floor partition between the bays has been removed. An east tiebeam has been removed or severed to accommodate an inserted doorway. Original rafters are exposed in the west bay. The large wood-burning hearth has been reduced for a 20th-century grate. Originally accessed from Churchfields to the south, the building is now accessed from Water Lane to the north.