Ashton Cottage - 58 High Street Riseley

Ashton Cottage - 58 High Street April 2015

Ashton Cottage was listed by the former Department of Environment in June 1974 as Grade II, of special interest. It dates from the 18th century and is constructed of colour-washed roughcast over a timber frame with an old clay tiled roof. It comprises two storeys. There are single storey lean-to additions at the rear and south-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 value visiting the "nice double-fronted" property [DV1/C222/7] found it ws owned and occupied by Mrs Bailey who was "not at home". It comprised a living room, a parlour, a kitchen, a scullery and two bedrooms. A washhouse and store were also used as a bedroom. Outside stood two brick and tiled barns ("old and very dilapidated") and a plaster and thatched cottage used as a store. There was a large garden. The valuer noted: "Mrs Bailey has let two rooms to Stevens next door for man to sleep in 2/- per week. Only temporary".