Blacksmiths Cottages In Blacksmith'S Yard

Blacksmiths Cottages, located in Blacksmith's Yard, is a house that has been divided into two homes. It dates from the early 17th century, with the earliest reference to it being from 1643. Originally a single house, it was later divided, with one part becoming a house in the 19th century and two houses in the 20th century. The property was renovated and had additions made around 1985.

The building features a timber frame with roughcast on the ground floor and dark weatherboarding on the first floor. It has a steeply pitched roof that was once thatched but is now slated, with the rear slope extending down over an outshut. There are hipped lean-to roofs covering low extensions at each end. The structure is two stories tall and has an internal chimney with a lobby entry plan, situated in a yard off the main road and facing east.

House No. 1 has a two-light flush casement window above a three-light window, with a plank door located at the right-hand corner. House No. 2 features a two-light window above a plank door that leads to the lobby entry, aligned with the internal chimney. On the ground floor, there is a three-light window to the left and a projecting stair turret at the left end of the front, next to a later external south gable chimney.

Inside, the cottages showcase exposed timbers, including an axial chamfered beam and exposed joists. There are straight tension braces at the corners of the frame, jowled posts, and collar-and-queen-strut trusses supporting the clasped-purlin roof. The wallplate features a face-halved bladed scarf joint. The roof consists of two bays that are separated by a narrow chimney and stair bays.