Willow Tree Cottage Yelden

Willow Tree Cottage February 2014

Willow Tree Cottage was listed August 1983 as Grade II, of special interest. It dates from about 1700 and is built of colour-washed roughcast over a timber frame with a thatched roof. The left-hand gable wall is of limestone rubble. The cottage comprises one storey and attics with a small 20th century extension on the left-hand side

The cottage was sold by auction in 1876 as part of the Yelden Estate. The sale particulars [AD1147/30] describe it as a cottage and garden containing five rooms, dairy and wood house with three cow houses and a pigsty adjoining. The occupant was J Dickings who lived there rent-free.

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/C190/20] found it owned by W Whitehead and occupied by J Hawkey who paid rent of 7/6 per week for a living room, kitchen, scullery, store room and three bedrooms. A weather-boarded and corrugated iron fowl shed and fowl house and tool shed stood outside. The valuer commented: "Nice looking place".