Laburnum Cottage And Clematis Cottage

A pair of cottages dating from the 18th century, with alterations made in the 19th and 20th centuries. They are constructed of coursed limestone rubble with a thatched roof and brick ridge stacks. Laburnum Cottage has a one-unit plan with a one-unit addition, while Clematis Cottage has a two-unit plan. The cottages present a two-storey, two-window facade. Plank doors are located to the left and right of the centre, each protected by a thatched hood and wood lintel. The ground floor features three-light leaded casement windows, with a similar two-light window far to the right. The first floor has two-light leaded windows set within eyebrow dormers. All windows have wood lintels. Internally, both cottages contain open fireplaces with stop-chamfered bressumers; the one in Clematis Cottage also includes a salt cupboard. They retain chamfered spine beams. The cottages were formerly known as Legger’s cottages and are situated near the north portal of the Blisworth tunnel on the Grand Union Canal, an area historically used by professional “leggers” who propelled canal barges through the tunnel.