Yew Tree Cottage

This is a house, originally conceived as a folly or eyecatcher, built in 1831 for Reverend W.C. Steggall. It was altered in the 20th century. The construction is a mix of timber frame, brick, flint and clay lump rubble, all rendered, with thatched and pantiled roofs. The design is picturesque, following a cruciform plan comprising a two-storey, unequal octagon, with single-story wings extending from two of its longer sides.

On the left side of the octagon, a blocked entrance is visible, featuring a pedimental hoodboard above a stone carved with a crowned lion mask, which was originally from Westhorpe Hall. A two-light casement window above the entrance bears the date 1831 on its lintel, also with a pedimental hood. Canted returns on the ground floor have two-light casements with pedimental hoods. The right side of the octagon has a disused boarded door with a pedimental hood. Above the door is another reused stone from Westhorpe Hall, and a two-light casement window with ‘WCS’ inscribed on the lintel, again with a pedimental hood and canted returns. A pyramidal thatched roof features a central white brick ridge stack. The wings have hipped pantiled roofs, and a 20th-century porch provides access. Returns on the wings have casements with pedimental hoods. The interior has not been inspected. The house was likely designed to be seen from the then new Rectory, now known as The Manor, on Rectory Road.