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Mulberry House - 3 Bedford Road Milton Ernest

Mulberry House - 3 Bedford Road February 2011
Mulberry House - 3 Bedford Road February 2011

Mulberry House is, despite the opinion expressed below, a pleasant looking Victorian property. It included a large stable block as part of the property, which is now used as workshops. The Rating and Valuation Act 1927 stated that every piece of land and property in the country was to be assessed to determine its rateable value. Milton Ernest, like most of the county, was assessed in 1927. The valuer visiting 3 Bedford Road [DV1/C1/135] found that it was then called Parkside. It was owned by Mrs Rowlatt and occupied by William Rowlatt. The property stood in just over an acre. The valuer commented: “Victorian not attractive” and "Worth less now than it was 20 years ago”.

The ground floor comprised: a hall; a west drawing room measuring 15 feet square with a bay measuring 7 feet by 2 feet; an east kitchen measuring 12 feet by 14 feet; a scullery (“wet”) and coal house totalling 12 feet by 28 feet; an east breakfast room measuring 9 feet 6 inches by 15 feet and to west and south, a dining room measuring 15 feet by 20 feet with a bay 2 feet by 7 feet. Upstairs were: a W. C.; a bedroom over the breakfast room measuring 14 feet 6 inches by 11 feet 6 inches; a bedroom over the dining room measuring 15 feet by 14 feet; a bedroom over the hall (“small”); a bedroom over the drawing room measuring 14 feet 6 inches square; a bathroom (“dark”) and a bedroom over the kitchen (“small”).

Outside was a greenhouse measuring 12 feet by 8 feet and a brick and slate range comprising: stables for four horses; a three stall stable and a garage all with a loft over; two loose boxes and a garage and bicycle shed and four loose boxes all with two storeys of lofts over, one a heating or drying floor. Washing water came from a roof water tank. The valuer noted: “will possibly have electric light”. He summed up: “House well built but ugly. Farm garden. Too many outbuildings most are unused. Faces south-west”.

Outbuildings to Mulberry House February 2011
Outbuildings to Mulberry House February 2011