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. Most of Bedfordshire was valued in 1927 and the valuer visiting 88 Green End Road [DV1/C125/42-43] found that by this date today’s cottage was a semi-detached pair, both owned by William Wootton who lived in one of them himself. His accommodation comprised a parlour with a grate, a living room with a range and a kitchen with a range with four bedrooms, two with fireplaces, above. A combined coal and wood barn and an earth closet stood outside. The valuer noted that it had once been two cottages and commented: “Poor Place, 6½ feet ceiling, light moderate”.

The left hand side of today’s Bridge Cottage was occupied by Frederick Favell who paid rent of 10 shillings per month, a rate set in 1919, having paid 8 shillings between 1913 and 1919. He had a living room with a range, a scullery with a fireplace and two bedrooms upstairs. He also had a combined coal and wood barn and a privy outside. Both dwellings drew their water from further along Green End Road.

In 2008 Bridge Cottage was for sale. The particulars [Z449/2/88] noted that the property had been “sympathetically restored”. Accommodation comprised an entrance hall and reception hall, a sitting room, a kitchen and breakfast room, a utility room, a study, a bathroom and a bedroom. Upstairs lay five bedrooms and a further bathroom. An outbuilding, barn and shed lay outside.

Bridge Cottage - 88 Green End Road October 2010