25 & 26, COMPTON ROAD

25 and 26 Compton Road are a pair of cottages built in 1875 as part of the Poynder Estate in Hilmarton. Constructed from rock-faced stone with ashlar dressings, the cottages feature stone slate pitched and gabled roofs, which appear to have been re-roofed in the 20th century, and a central ashlar ridge stack.

Each cottage has a T-plan and is joined back to back. They are two storeys high and have mullion and transom windows with iron lattice lights, topped with hood-moulds. On either side of the cottages are three-centred arched entrances with waved hood-moulds and decorative stops. Above each entrance is a square carved plaque displaying the date 1875 and the signet of W H Poynder. At the rear, there are late 20th-century lean-to extensions that are not of special interest.

The interior of No. 25 includes various 19th-century features, such as wood panelling along the walls, vertically panelled doors, a large fireplace (originally for a range), and a stone bread oven with a cast-iron door. The two bedrooms upstairs each have identical plain fire surrounds with cast-iron grates. The interior of No. 26 could not be inspected.

These cottages were designed by architect and agent Henry Weaver for the Poynder family, reflecting a distinctive architectural style and plan that aligns with Weaver's published ideas in his book "Hints on Cottage Architecture" from 1848. The cottages are recognized for their high-quality architectural detailing and decoration, contributing to the significance of the group of listed Poynder Estate cottages in Hilmarton.