Monastery Cottage

Monastery Cottage is a detached house dating to the 16th and 17th centuries, situated within the Abbey Precincts in Tewkesbury. The building is constructed of random stonework with timber framing and brick, and has a tiled roof. The layout is L-shaped; the main north-south block may have originally been a cross-passage, two-room dwelling, while the wing to the east is possibly earlier.

The main west front is two windows wide. To the left is a recessed section with chamfered stone mullioned casements; a three-light window at the first floor breaks through the eaves into a small dormer, and a four-light window with a drip mould is at ground floor, incorporating an inserted moulded mullion. To the right is a 19th-century three-light casement above a fixed nine-pane window set within a segmental brick arch, and a small central single light, all set in rough coursed squared stone. The right return side has a brick-nogged frame above random stonework, with a two-light window above a three-light casement, mirroring the front. To the right at the rear, eaves display a large brick stack, followed by a framed wing containing two two-light casements at the first floor, above various later outbuildings. The north gable is of random stone and has a two-light casement low down on the left, and a mid-height centre a blocked opening with the remains of an ogee or four-centred arch. Above a moulded string at collar height are two lofty 17th-century brick stacks set diagonally, with separated flues. The rear has a stone section with a single light at the first floor set in a chamfered surround, above a blocked doorway; to the left is a set-back brick-nogged frame above a brought-forward stone principal entry with a plank door within a four-centred arch with spandrels. A framed wing returns to the left, featuring two two-light casements at the first floor and one below.

Inside, the main parlour contains a heavy chamfered spine beam with run-out stops, and a fine 16th-century moulded four-centred fireplace. The kitchen end has a rough spine beam, cut through where a later winder stair was inserted, and a heavy bressumer fire, now boarded in, with a bread oven to the left. The rear kitchen, located in the wing, also features a chamfered spine beam with run-out stops. Windows are set into deep embrasures, including a small light to the west front, which is likely a former doorway. The back wing has heavy jowelled posts, though roof timbers appear to have been modified. The main roof is in three bays, with principals stopped to collars, large square ties, many original rafters, one range of wind bracing, and a ventilating slit in the north gable.

The building is of archaeological importance, believed to have been part of the monastery Almonry, and linked to Abbey Barn by remains of the barn’s continued west wall.