Thistledown Cottage

Thistledown Cottage is a house dating probably from the 16th century, with alterations in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries and a 20th-century extension. It is built of timber framing, partially rebuilt in brick and stone, and has a concrete tile roof with gabled ends. Brick axial stacks are present. The original plan comprised four rooms, with a 20th-century one-room extension to the east end. A central right-hand bay was originally open to the roof, featuring an open-hearth fire. In the 17th century, floors and a stack were inserted between the centre two rooms. The left (west) bay was likely added in the 17th or early 18th century. An outshut is located behind the centre rooms.

The asymmetrical south front features five windows, with 20th-century casements and dormers, and a gabled porch over the entrance. The right-hand extension is partially weatherboarded. The rear wall displays exposed storey-posts, and an outshut is situated to the right of the centre.

Inside, chamfered axial ceiling beams with hollow-step stops are visible. The axial stack between the centre rooms contains back-to-back fireplaces with cambered, chamfered timber lintels and rebuilt ovens. Timber-framed partition walls and some exposed framing are found in the rear wall. The roof consists of common-rafter couples. The bay to the right of centre exhibits a smoke-blackened square-set ridge-piece and straight wind-braces, while the closed tie-beam truss on the right is also blackened on its east side. Surviving blackened roof timbers, including hips and battens, are also present at either end.