Cancot, May Cottage And Rosamunde

Cancot, May Cottage, and Rosamunde are a row of cottages located on Ansford Hill, dating from the late 18th century. They were originally built for flaxspinners and are constructed from roughly coursed Cary stone rubble, topped with a double Roman clay tile roof. The west gable is coped, and there are brick chimney stacks.

Cancot features three bays with 2-light small-pane casement windows, except for the lower bay 3, which has a steel casement. All windows are set under timber lintels. The lower bay 2 has a part-glazed door with a timber and corrugated iron roof. A plaque on this house indicates that it was a memorial gift to Castle Cary Museum in 1976.

May Cottage consists of two bays, with a 2-light small-pane casement window in bay 1 and 2-light horizontal bar casements in bay 2 at both levels. To the left of bay 1 is a boarded door in a heavy frame.

Rosamunde has three bays, featuring 3-light horizontal bar casement windows, except for upper bay 1, which has a 2-light small-pane casement, and upper bay 2, which is blank. The lower bay 1 includes a lean-to porch with a boarded door.

The interiors have not been seen. Charles Donne established a twine spinning and sailcloth business in these cottages in 1797, moving to larger premises in Castle Cary in 1818. Wychwood Cottage is attached to the east gable, and together with these properties, they form a notable group.