Spindle Cottage - 94 Cotton End Road Wilshamstead
94 Cotton End Road March 2012
Spindle Cottage, 94 Cotton End Road, was listed by English Heritage in May 1984 as Grade II, of special interest. The cottage dates from the 18th century and is timber-framed with colourwashed roughcast rendering and comprising one storey with attics, in an L-shape, beneath a clay tiled roof.
The cottage formed part of the Haynes Estate which, from the 18th century, included the Manor of Wilshamstead. The estate was owned by the Lords Carteret though when the title became extinct the family reverted to its original surname of Thynne and continued owning the estate which was put up for sale by auction in July 1914.
The sale particulars [X67/406] describe Spindle Cottage as: “The Rough-cast and Tiled Detached Freehold Cottage and Garden known as 135 Ivy Lane, and situated at the corner of the road leading to Cotton End. The Accommodation consists of Two Living Rooms, Kitchen, Three Bed Rooms, Barn outside with pantiled roof. Let at £3 per annum”.
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. Like most of the county, Wilshamstead was largely assessed in 1927 and the valuer visiting Spindle Cottage [DV1/C66/14] found that it was owned and occupied by J. Tuffnell (perhaps the buyer in 1914) and comprised a parlour, a living room, a kitchen and three bedrooms in the attics above. Outside stood a weather-boarded and corrugated iron barn (“good”).
In 1959 the owner proposed alterations and extension to the property. Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Records Service has plans showing the proposed work [Z1169/8/80/7]. In the early part of the 21st centuy the property was for sale and the particulars [Z449/4/12] described it as containing: “A wealth of beams and character, inglenook fire places, large Ground floor Victorian style bathroom suite with corner spar bath and double shower, three bedrooms, outside mature front and good sized south facing rear gardens, garden office/log cabin, space for garage and ample parking". The ground floor comprised: an entrance porch; a lounge/dining room (measuring 10 feet 11 inches by 9 feet 8 inches); a kitchen (measuring 13 feet 1 inch by 10 feet) and a bathroom (measuring 13 feet by 5 feet 6 inches). Three bedrooms lay on the first floor.