Southfields the Flemish Cottages

Southfields The Flemish Cottages is a Grade I listed building located in Dedham, dating from the 15th century and later. It features a courtyard plan that developed through separate units. The structure is primarily two storeys high, with an exposed timber frame and roofs covered in peg tiles. One of the chimney stacks, located at the south-west, has two octagonal shafts and dates from the same period, although the building has undergone several phases of construction.

The main range of the cottages forms the east side of the yard and is jettied on both the east and west sides, supported by a dragon-beam at the south end. This range includes tripartite windows and roll-moulded joists, which have soffit-tenons. The top-plates feature edge-halved and bridle-butted scarfs. The south range, built around 1580 to 1590, also has tripartite windows but with scribed ovolo mullions. The north range, which includes a gatehouse, was constructed as a tall, unstoreyed section. The north-east return of the plan appears to have been added last to complete the courtyard, as indicated by an end-jetty on the western range and blocked windows visible inside. Historical records, including a will from 1583, reference the gatehouse and various chambers associated with the property.