Quay Cottage

Quay Cottage is a former public house, now divided into three cottages, situated on the Quay in Instow. A part of the building probably dates to the early 17th century, with the quay frontage added in the late 18th or early 19th century. The structure is built of rendered stone rubble and cob, with slate roofs. The roof is hipped at the front right end, and the rear of No. 2, Bridge Lane, has early scantle slate. A ridge brick stack, a lateral brick stack to the rear of Quay Cottage, and a substantial stone rubble stack with a slate drip, offsets, and later brickwork to the ridge of No. 2, are noteworthy features.

The division into three cottages has obscured the original plan. However, a 17th-century core, set gable end onto the quay, appears to have been a three-room dwelling with an unusual lobby entry plan. A two-storey former outbuilding is now incorporated into No. 2 at the right end. The late 18th or early 19th-century addition of the quay frontage created two principal rooms, forming an overall L-shaped plan. Part of the lower end of the 17th-century house was taken in to form a rear passage with a side entrance to No. 1 Bridge Lane.

The quay facade has a two-window range. There are six-over-three pane sash windows on the left and twelve-pane sashes on the right, above a semi-circular headed doorway with a plank door and plain fanlight. The Bridge Lane facade has a three-window range, two of which include gabled dormers. The fenestration is primarily early 19th century, including a four-over-eight pane sash window at the left end, a three-light casement with eight panes per light, and a two-light casement with six panes per light at the right end. A three-light hall casement (eight panes per light) and a two-light window (four panes per light) are also present. A slated gabled porch has a plank inner door. A sash window with three-over-six panes and a glazed plank door are located to the left of the porch.

The interior of No. 2 Bridge Lane was not inspected, but is reportedly unspoilt. No. 1 Bridge Lane retains much of its original fittings and joinery, including panelling and a moulded cornice, likely from the early 19th century. The principal room has a corner fireplace containing a range made by H R Williams and Co. of Barnstaple. Although roof access was unavailable, the 17th-century core appears to have an intact roof structure with straight, heavy principals.