Oastwood

A mid-18th century cottage, extended to the rear and west during the 20th century. The cottage is timber-framed, with plaster infill. The front roof is covered with asbestos, while the rear has plain tiles. Originally a two-room plan, the cottage has a single storey with attics and two bays facing south. It features an external chimney stack on the right end and a two-storey 20th-century extension to the left. The façade has a 20th-century door on the left and casement windows to the right, with a swept dormer window above. The rear has a more recent French door and a ground-floor lean-to conservatory, along with a small attic dormer.

The interior has chamfered axial beams and exposed vertical section joists, although these are partially obscured by a more recent ceiling. The original timber framing remains on the ground floor, although the sole plate has been obscured or replaced. The framing is of varying thickness and is pegged or bolted together. A small fireplace at the east gable end contains 18th and 19th-century brickwork. A winder stair on the front left corner has been refaced and leads to a small attic with late 20th-century partition walls. First-floor wall framing survives, incorporating reused timbers, while the gable ends have midrails and tie beams secured with iron strapping. The wall plates have bolted scarf joints. The roof structure has common rafters and side purlins, suggesting a probable original thatch covering.

The 20th-century extension to the west connects to the original building only at ground floor, with a separate first floor and no historical significance.

Oastwood was likely built in the 1760s, near a historic river crossing (Petches Bridge) and originally alongside a pair of semi-detached cottages, which have since been extensively altered and are now known as Petches Yew Farm. Extensions were added to the west in 1987 and a conservatory to the rear in 1993.

The cottage is designated at Grade II for its complete timber frame, which, despite some modest quality, shows craftsmanship and is representative of local vernacular building traditions. It retains evidence of its original plan and its historic character has not been significantly damaged by later extensions.