Quarry Vale Cottages

A row of thirteen former quarry workers' cottages located in Combe Down, dating primarily to the early 19th century, with number 4 possibly being earlier. The cottages are constructed of square coursed stone or ashlar, with double Roman tile roofing, except where noted. They are arranged in two ranges, with a steep flight of twenty-two stone steps dividing the ranges between numbers 6 and 7. The cottages are generally one room deep, but most feature original or later rear wings, built close to a former quarry wall.

Numbers 1 to 6 appear to have been originally built as separate units, while numbers 7 to 11 likely formed a terrace constructed in one stage. Number 1 is ashlar faced, with a concrete tile roof, a single plain sash window above a three-light steel casement, and a door on the return gable end. Number 2 has a concrete tile roof with two plain sashes at each level, and a door under a glazed lean-to porch. Number 3 has a pantile roof with two plain sashes at each level and a central door under a gabled 20th-century porch. Number 4, in three bays, has a pantile roof and replacement two-light casements at each level, including an extra single light to the ground floor, and a large gabled and lean-to central porch. The spacing and size of windows at number 4 suggest it may be an 18th-century cottage predating the others. Number 6, formerly two properties, has one and two plain sashes at each level, a blocked doorway, a plank door far to the right, and an open gable canopy. A large square ridge stack is located off-centre to the left. The return gable end, adjacent to the steps, is plain.

The second group of cottages is ashlar faced. Numbers 7, 8, and 9 each have one window and plain sashes, although numbers 7 and 8 have aluminium windows. Each has a 20th-century door in plain reveals, and numbers 7 and 8 share a ridge stack, with an additional stack to the right of number 9. These cottages are slightly stepped down from the adjoining houses. Numbers 10 and 11 are a pair, each with paired plain sashes at the first floor, above a single sash and a glazed 20th-century door. A square ridge stack located on the centre party wall lacks coping.

The interiors have not been inspected. These modest cottages are of historical interest as a survival of workers’ housing connected with the local stone quarrying industry.