Maytree Cottage

House. Dating back to the winter of 1559-60, the timbers of the main frame were identified by dendrochronology. A chimney and possibly a floor were added in the 17th century. A brick front was added in the late 18th century, along with later windows and a weatherporch. It is a timber-framed building, with the front clad in brick, a tiled roof, and an end right chimney stack, rebuilt in the 20th century. The house consists of two unequal bays; the larger bay may have originally had an open hall and an end smoke bay.

The front elevation features brickwork in Flemish bond, with some blue headers. It has 19th or 20th century casement windows and a gabled wooden weather porch. The rear elevation displays exposed timber framing in small square panels with two curved tension braces and brick infill panels, using a variety of brick patterns and types, including some thin bricks likely from the 17th century. There are casement windows and two simple doors. The other elevations are obscured by late 18th century cottages built alongside the original house.

Inside, the two bays are unequal, with a mid bay post and an end smoke bay. The fireplace is wide, with a bressumer and a section of moulded dais beam, nailed in place. A spine beam has long curved step stops. A half-winder staircase exists. The roof retains original rafters; the central section has rafters turned on their side with a ridge piece inserted, and three of four curved windbraces remain, along with raking queen posts supporting clasped purlins. The area above the smoke bay shows significant soot residue and contains a wattle and daub partition dividing it from the rest of the roof. There’s evidence that one side of the roof was originally half-hipped.

The property was shown on the Tithe Map of 1845 as cottages and gardens belonging to Maria Woods, a maltster. Records indicate that the land was formerly copyhold of the Manor of Hambledon, held for a term of 100 years by deed dated 26th January 1618. The cottage was once occupied by two families, and an old photograph depicts a tall brick chimney stack on the left side, which no longer exists.