Forge Cottage Wistaria Cottage

A farmhouse, now divided into two dwellings, likely dating from the 17th century and altered subsequently. The building is timber-framed with brick nogging, and the ground floor is brick-clad; it has a red tiled roof and a brick chimney. It has a rectangular, single-depth plan, originally with two plus two bays, although large modern extensions have been added to the east end of the north side, the west end, and the south side. The north side has exposed timber framing on the first floor of the second, third, and fourth bays, incorporating a rail, wallplate, five posts (three with angle braces to the wallplate), and some intermediate rails of light scantling; between two closely-spaced posts in line with the central chimney is a clock face, while the second bay has a modern three-light casement and the third and fourth bays each have a small two-light casement. At ground floor, the brick wall slightly projects, suggesting it may clad similar timber framing, though no evidence of this is visible internally, and vertical joints suggest altered openings; the present openings are not of particular architectural merit. The east gable wall (belonging to No. 26, Wistaria Cottage), is constructed of handmade brick in Flemish bond, with a segmental-headed doorway in the centre and two segmental-headed two-light casements on each floor. Internally, No. 24 has a brick fireplace approximately 2 metres wide with a timber bressummer, remains of timber framing in the gable wall, and a queen-post roof truss between the bays; however, it is otherwise altered. The interior of No. 26 was not inspected.