Leigh Cottage

BURGH BY SANDS

SD 35 NW NORTH END

128- /5/10006 Leigh cottage

II

Small house. Mid C17 or earlier with C18 alterations and C19 extension. Clay walling, now with C20 sculptured cement render. Turf and straw-thatched roof concealed beneath C20 corrugated sheet covering. Main range of 2 bays; single storey with attic and with lower single bay addition at east end with offshut to north, which conceals the original gable entrance. Front wall with 2 windows, one small paned, the other a late C19 4-paned sash. Inserted doorway to east end. Rear elevation with off-centre doorway with a painted surround and plank door. Small fire window to left of doorway. Brick extension to north gable, with stone slated roof. INTERIOR: hearth with C18 surround, the hearth lintol supported on corbelled jambs. Feet of cruck blades emerge from side walls 1 metre below ceiling level. 2-cell plan form little disturbed, with plain ladder stair to attic. An important example of clay construction on The Solway Plain, where building in clay remained a significant building tradition into the C19. This simple vernacular building is also notable for the survival of a little altered interior, including its central cruck truss.