The Old Library And Whitmore Cottage

STOKENHAM STOKENHAM SX8042 The Old Library and 14/222 Whitmore Cottage 26.1.67

GV II

Probably originally an agricultural building converted into 2 cottages one of which was formerly the reading room. Probably C18, converted in Cl9 and early C20. Plastered stone rubble and possibly some cob. Thatched roof with gabled ends and eyebrow eaves. Stone rubble stacks at gable ends with slate weathered set-offs heightened in brick. Plan: Pair of cottages with gable end stacks, originally an agricultural building. While the right hand section was converted into a 2 storey 1-room plan cottage the left hand part is said to have remained open and used as a reading room, later to be floored and converted into a cottage. Exterior: 2 storeys. Asymmetrical. 2:2 window range, more widely spaced to left (The Old Library). All C20 2-light casements, except for late Cl9 3-light casement with glazing bars on ground floor left. Large C20 canted bay window with thatched roof to the left of centre (The Old Library) with late Cl9 panelled door to its left with C20 canopy above underbuilt with C20 porch. Doorway to right of centre (Whitmore Cottage) is in wide opening with cambered timber lintel and has C20 door and casement to its right. Interior: Only Whitmore Cottage was inspected. It has large stone rubble fireplace with rough unchamfered cambered timber lintel and oven buried in the side; later ceiling joists. Roof apace inaccessible but principals appear to be straight. Kelly's Directory of 1889 refers to "There is a Reading Room erected and furnished by A.F. Holdsworth Esq. for the use of parishioners". (A.F. Holdsworth of Widdicombe House qv).

Listing NGR: SX8072642925