Bowden Park Cottages

MERTON MERTON SS 5212 22/159 Bowden Park Cottages - GV II

Pair of cottages. Probably C17 in origin but considerably altered and extended in C18 and C19. Rendered cob and rubble walls. Gable ended thatch roof. Brick axial stack, projecting rendered rubble stack at right gable end and brick stack to gable end of rear wing. Plan: Complicated plan of 3 different ranges - 2 are parallel, with a rear wing at right angles. The front range is probably the earliest, of 2 room plan possibly with a passage originally - the left-hand room heated by an axial stack, the right-hand one by a gable end stack. Projecting bay at front of left-hand room. A wing extends at the rear of this range which is probably a C19 addition. Beside it another range parallel to the front are projects to the left. This is an unusual position for an addition but without internal access it could not be further investigated - its external appearance suggests on C18 date but it may be earlier. The line of division into 2 cottages is not entirely clear but one has its entrance to the left side of the front range whereas the other is in the rear wing. Exterior: 2 storeys. Asymmetrical 2 window front of circa mid C20 2-light casements apart from a 3-light one in the projection at the centre. 2 early C20 porches with brick piers, one to each side of the projection. The parallel rear range projects at the left-hand end and gabled wing adjoins it. Interior: inaccessible at time of survey but may contain features of interest such as open fireplaces, ceiling beams and possibly early roof trusses.

Listing NGR: SS5294512411