12,14 AND 16, WATER LANE

A terrace of three late 18th-century dwellings, located at 12, 14, and 16 Water Lane, Hertford, and forming the northern end of a block of more utilitarian cottages, which were originally stable buildings (numbered 4 to 10 Water Lane). The terrace possibly originated as a garden building and was later subdivided. The construction is of red brick in a Flemish bond pattern, with stucco dressings and a hipped, coursed Welsh slate roof covered with lead roll hips on the north side, and old tiles elsewhere. A tall red brick chimneystack is located on the right (west) rear flank.

The exterior presents a five-bay elevation, with the central three bays slightly recessed and featuring a Gothick style intended to complement the refurbished gate house and south wing of Hertford Castle. The first floor has three two-light casement windows with moulded lancet heads and surrounds, featuring glazed stucco quatrefoils either side of the central window. A narrow stucco band runs along the first-floor level. The ground floor has two tall, coupled lancet-headed casements on the left and right, flanking a central door. The door has a half-glazed design with two recessed lower panels, a traceried middle and upper section, and a Tudor arched head recessed within a moulded stucco surround, which includes recessed spandrel panels and a projecting flat dripmould. The projecting ends each feature similar doors with lancet-headed sidelights, all under a flat dripmould.

The east-facing elevation includes a six-pane sash window on the first floor and a further three-light window. Fenestration is irregular and incorporates a 20th-century casement window in a central infilled door opening.

The interior of number 12 features a ground floor oval room with a shallow domed ceiling and alcoves in three corners. This, alongside the design of the principal elevation, indicates a level of status above that of the stables and ancillary buildings.

Historically, the stables and adjoining cottages were built for the Marquess of Downshire in connection with the reconstruction of the Gate House. In 1971, the cottages were conveyed to the Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust and refurbished, with architects John Snellgrove Associates overseeing the work.