Newton Cottages

Newton Cottages is a pair of mid-18th century cottages located on Barking Stowmarket Road in Needham. They are 1 and a half storeys high, constructed with a timber frame and roughcast render. The main roof is thatched, while the lean-to at the rear is covered with clay pantiles. There are two chimney stacks on the rear wall, one made of 18th century red brick on the north side and the other rebuilt in late 19th century brick on the south side, both featuring square shafts.

The cottages have 2-light small-paned casement windows and two flat-headed dormers with rendered cheeks and similar casements. Each cottage has two plank doors in plain surrounds. Inside, each cottage is arranged with a heated living room that includes the entry and a small unheated room next to it, likely originally used as a walk-in larder. The staircase is located in one corner. This layout is typical for cottages of the period, and there is no evidence of any access between the two cottages. The framing inside is of good quality for its time, with most elements exposed, including widely-spaced studs, primary braces, a middle rail, a small chamfer on the main beams, and joists set on edge, while the rafters are covered. Newton Cottages is listed as an early example of purpose-built cottages.