12,14 AND 16, WATER LANE

HERTFORD

TL3212SW WATER LANE, Hertford Castle 817-1/19/315 (East side) 10/02/50 Nos.12, 14 AND 16

GV II

Terrace of 3 dwellings, possibly subdivided from garden building, and terminates north end of block of more utilitarian cottages, formerly stable buildings, Nos 4 to 10 Water Lane (qqv). Late C18. Red brick, Flemish bond, with stucco dressings and hipped coursed Welsh slated roof, with lead roll hips, on north side, other faces old tiled. Tall red brick chimneystack on right (west) rear flank. EXTERIOR: 5-bay elevation, with centre 3 slightly recessed, Gothick style to match the refurbished gate house and south wing of Hertford Castle. First floor has three 2-light coupled small-paned casements with moulded lancet heads and surrounds, with glazed stucco quatrefoils either side of central window, narrow stucco band at first-floor level. Ground floor has 2 tall coupled lancet headed casements, left and right of central door, half-glazed with 2 recessed lower panels, and traceried middle and upper lights, with Tudor arched head, recessed in moulded stucco surround with recessed spandrel panels and projecting flat dripmould. Projecting ends each have similar doors with lancet-headed sidelights, all under flat dripmould. East flank elevation has 6-pane sash on first floor, and further 3-light window. Irregular fenestration including C20 casement window in central infilled door opening. INTERIOR: of No.12 has ground floor oval room, with shallow domed ceiling, and alcoves in 3 corners. This, together with the design of the principal elevation indicates a status above the stables and ancillary buildings which occupied the remainder of the block. HISTORICAL NOTE: the stables and adjoining cottages were built for the Marquess of Downshire in conjunction with his reconstruction of the Gate House. Together with the other Water Lane cottages, conveyed to Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust in 1971, and refurbished, architects John Snellgrove Associates. (The Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Hertfordshire: Harmondsworth: 1977-: 191; Hertfordshire Countryside: Davies AG: From Royal Palace to Council Offices: Letchworth: 1946-1971: 34-8; Hertfordshire Countryside: Jones LFR: In the grounds of Hertford Castle: Letchworth: 1946-1972: 46-7).

Listing NGR: TL3240912417