Acacia Cottage 199 and 200 Wilstead Road Elstow

Acacia Cottage 202 and 203 Wilstead Road February 2012

Today’s Acacia Cottage was formerly 202 and 203 Wilstead Road. The cottage was listed in May 1978 by the former Department of Environment as Grade II, of special interest. The department dated the house to the 17th century with 18th and 19th century additions and alterations. It is of timber-framed construction with colour washed roughcast render under a clay tiled roof. The northern block is one storey and attics whilst the southern block has two storeys. A single storey block was added to the north gable end in the 18th century and there is a two storey block projecting from the rear of the southern block.

The Rating and Valuation Act 1925 specified that every building and piece of land in the country was to be assessed to determine its rateable value. Elstow, like most of the county, was assessed in 1927 and the valuer visiting found the building was then divided into two cottages, both owned by Lord of the Manor Samuel Howard Whitbread [DV1/C33/59-60].

Number 202 was occupied by J. Cooper whose rent was £7/1/- per annum for a living room, a kitchen, two bedrooms and a barn. The valuer commented: “sloping roof”. Number 203 was in the occupation of J. Bowler who paid four guineas per annum for two living rooms, a scullery, two bedrooms barn and a barn. Again the valuer noted the sloping roof.