Homestead Keysoe

Homestead March 2016

Homestead was listed by the former Department of Environment in August 1983 as Grade II, of special interest. Today’s cottage was formerly divided into two. It is built of colour-washed roughcast, probably over a timber frame and has a thatched roof. The building comprises one storey with attics and has single storey additions at both gable ends.

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. The valuer visiting the cottage [DV1/C213/69] found that it was owned by Mrs F Brown and occupied by Mrs Elliott, no rent is listed in the valuer’s notebook.

The cottage contained two living rooms, two kitchens and four bedrooms, clearly suggesting that the building had previously been divided into two tenements. A wood, tiled and corrugated iron store barn and a wood and corrugated iron coal house both stood outside.