Deep Thatches - 95 Keeley Lane Wootton

95 Keeley Lane March 2012

Deep Thatches was listed by English Heritage in August 1987 as Grade II, of special interest. It dates from the 17th or early 18th century and is timber-framed with colourwashed pebbledash render. The cottage comprises one storey and attics beneath a thatched roof.

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, Wootton was largely assessed in 1927 and the valuer visiting 95 Keeley Lane [DV1/C51/125] found it owned by Rev. H. P. Peacock and occupied by William Moore, whose rent was £5/10/- per annum, set in1915.

Accommodation comprised a living room and a kitchen downstairs with two bedrooms above. A barn and an earth closet stood outside. The valuer commented: “Very poor place, fair garden, water from well”. He also noted: “Formerly 2 cottages”. Another hand has written: “Very bad slope” meaning that the roof sloped significantly in the attic bedrooms and one more comment: “Dreadful”.