3 And 4, Ayres End Lane

Nos. 3 and 4 Ayres End Lane are a pair of semi-detached cottages dating from around 1890. They were originally estate cottages built for the Childwick Bury Stud estate, likely designed in a Domestic Revival style possibly by Col. R.W.Edis FRIBA for Sir John Blundell Maple M.P. The cottages are constructed of red brick with brighter red brick detailing, tile hanging to the front first floor, and applied timber framing with roughcast panels in the front gables. The roof is tiled with two bands of fish scale tiles on each slope, featuring deep verges and barge boards. There is a central ridge stack with a brick dentil cornice, and smaller stacks at each end, all topped with ceramic pots.

The cottages are planned as mirror images, set within a central lateral range and with a cross wing projecting to the front and rear at each end. The front elevation is symmetrical with a raised band at first floor level. Each cross wing has a vertical boarded door within a lean-to porch with a tiled roof supported on timber posts, flanked by a four-light metal casement window with glazing bars (3x4 panes per light) with Gothic heads to the top row. The central range features two three-light casement windows with similar details. First floor windows are similarly styled, with smaller three-light casements with diamond panes, and diamond pane glazing in the gable ends. The applied timber framing features curved braces in the two central panels. The rear elevation includes one and two-light casements with diamond pane glazing. The applied timber framing, casement frames, and projecting window sills are all painted white. The interiors were not inspected.