The Hollies Meppershall

The Hollies March 2015

The Hollies is a residential property was listed as Grade II, of special interest, in 1985. The listing describesn the property as originating in the 17th century with 18th century reworkings and having a "Neo-Classical Style". It is part colourwashed render and part timber-framed with a clay tiled roof. The interior originally had two rooms on each of the two floors with attics above. There is a later single storey addition at the right-hand side.

The Rating and Valuation Act 1925 legislated for every building and piece of land in the country to be assessed to determine its rateable value. The valuer visiting The Hollies [DV1/C160/4-5] discovered that it was owned and occupied by Thomas Bell who had, at that time, been resident for seven years. The building comprised a porch, a sitting room, a dining room, a kitchen and a scullery (with bath). Upstairs were three bedrooms and the attic above. Outside was a greenhouse, an earth closet, an old shed used as a store ("bad"), a henhouse ("big"), a garage and two pigsties. Water was obtained from a pump.

The valuer noted: "Old place done up, quite nice but bad way in". This ambiguous comment probably refers to access from the street.