103 High Street Riseley

Magnolia tree and 103 High Street under repair April 2015

103 High Street was listed by the former Department of Environment in June 1974 as Grade II, of special interest. The house dates from the 17th century and is timber-framed, rendered with roughcast in front and un-rendered at the rear. There are brick additions which are colour-washed. The building comprises one storey and attics and has a 20th century tiled roof. The porch is 20th century as are the additions to the north-west gable end.

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/C217/22] found that it was owned by Lord Saint John of Bletsoe. The tenant, whose rent was £10 per annum, was plumber and painter James Oscar Croote. The valuer commented: "Pretty place. Country cottage. Rent very low".

The cottage comprised a living room, parlour and kitchen with three bedrooms above. Outside stood a brick and tiled plumber's and decorator's workshop measuring 24 feet by 15 feet, a weather-boarded and tiled shed and store, a weather-boarded and tiled washhouse, a plaster and tiled cart shed and a small glasshouse. Behind, and now [2015] gone were a plaster and tiled corn barn and loose box with a loft over and a weather-boarded and tiled sty, store and mixing shed.