Bedford Estates Cottages at Birchmoor Green

The Dukes of Bedford built numerous estate cottages in the various parishes in which they owned land from the mid 19th century into the 20th century. There were a number of different types but all are instantly recognisable as Bedford Estates properties. Fittingly the highest number was built in Woburn. There are four blocks of cottages on Birchmoor Green.

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. Woburn, like much of the county was valued in 1927 and the valuer visiting the cottages at Birchmoor found the following information.

9 and 10 Birchmoor Green

• Number 9: J. F. Gilks whose rent was 1/2 per week; living room, kitchen and one bedroom; barn and washhouse outside (“good”);]
• Number 10: Miss E. Purr whose rent was not stated; living room, kitchen, one bedroom; barn and earth closet outside. The valuer commented: “Not usual type, very small, only one bedroom”.

11 to 14 Birchmoor Green

• Number 11: William Stanford whose rent was £1/1/18 per quarter; living room, kitchen, three bedrooms; washhouse and earth closet outside;
• Number 12: R. Carr whose rent was not stated; living room, kitchen, two bedrooms; washhouse and earth closet outside;
• Number 13: Bertram Ames whose rent was 1/5 per week; living room, kitchen, two bedrooms; washhouse and earth closet outside;
• Number 14: Harry Cook whose rent was £1/1/8 per quarter; living room, kitchen, three bedrooms; washhouse and earth closet outside.

15 to 20 Birchmoor Green

• Number 15: William Coleman whose rent was £1/1/8 per quarter; living room, kitchen, three bedrooms; washhouse and earth closet;
• Number 16: Edward Painter whose rent was 17/4 per quarter; living room, kitchen, two bedrooms; washhouse and earth closet outside;
• Number 17: H. Painter whose rent was 18/5 per quarter; living room, kitchen, two bedrooms; washhouse and earth closet outside;
• Number 18: Charles Smith whose rent was 17/4 per quarter; living room, kitchen, two bedrooms; washhouse and earth closet outside;
• Number 19: H. Greenhood whose rent was 1/5 per week; living room, kitchen, two bedrooms; washhouse and earth closet outside;
• Number 20: Charles Smith whose rent was 1/8 per week; living room, kitchen, three bedrooms; washhouse and earth closet

21 to 26 Birchmoor Green

• Number 21: J. Thomas Woodcroft whose rent was 1/7 per week; living room, kitchen, three bedrooms; washhouse and earth closet outside;
• Number 22: B. Charles Wiggett whose rent was 1/5 per week; living room, kitchen, two bedrooms; washhouse and earth closet outside;
• Number 23: B. Fleet whose rent was 1/5 per week; living room, kitchen, two bedrooms; washhouse and earth closet outside;
• Number 24: William J. Sinfield whose rent was 1/5 per week; living room, kitchen, two bedrooms; washhouse and earth closet outside;
• Number 25: William Flatt whose rent was 1/5 per week; living room, kitchen, two bedrooms; washhouse and earth closet outside;
• Number 26: M. Gilbert whose rent was 1/7 per week; living room, kitchen and three bedrooms; washhouse and earth closet outside.