Parliament Cottages

Parliament Cottages are two adjoining cottages dating from the 17th century, with wings added in the 18th century to the north-east and south-west. They are constructed of rendered stone rubble and cob, topped with a thatched roof featuring gabled and hipped ends. The cottages are two storeys high, with the original central part consisting of a four-window range and a large rendered chimney stack on the front wall, alongside a glazed door to the right. Most of the windows are 18th-century three-light casements with glazing bars. The north-east wing is set at right angles and has a stack at the gable end, while the south-west wing features a large external stone rubble stack at the gable end and a 20th-century extension to the west, also with a thatched roof. Inside, there are two chamfered ceiling beams in the central range and half-newel stairs at the rear. The cottages are known as Parliament Cottages because it is said that William III held a meeting of his supporters here before proceeding to Berry Pomeroy Castle. A stone in the front garden notes that "William Prince of Orange is said to have held his first Parliament here in November 1688."