Summary
Probably constructed as two cottages associated with the woodyard. Now a single dwelling.
Identification Images (0)
Monument Types
- DETACHED HOUSE (Early 19th C to Mid 19th C - 1820 AD to 1840 AD)
Description
Period I. Early 19th century. - Woodyard cottage stands on an old road which ran from Aldbury to Hemel Hempstead, along the edge of Berkhampstead Common.The road was obstructed at this ppoint by the seventh Earl of Bridgewater (1753 - 1823), during the final years of his life, in an attempt to prevent the exercise of the rights to the Common. This he achieved by crating the woodyard, building two cottages and making a pond on the site of the road. The existing building may be the cottages which were constructed at this time, although stylistically the external appearance of Woodyard Cottage suggests a slightly later date of construction, 1830-40. The earliest part of the existing building comprises seven groud floor rooms and corresponding rooms above.This was probably divided into two asymmetrical cottages each containing three main rooms on each floor. All three main ground floor rooms, but probably only one first floor room, in each cottage were heated. The building was constructed in brick, probably produced locally. The external appearance of the building is grand, reflecting classical influence and giving the impresion of symetry which is belied by the internal plan of the building.
Period II. Mid 19th century. - Shortly after the cottages were built additions were made to house ancilliary domestic functions i.e. wash-houses, privies and fuel stores. A single storey range was constructed enveloping the south-west corner of the main block. Towards the north a free standing range was constructed.. The rear lean-to was probably also constructed at this time, probably as a larder, a function which it retains today. Fireplaces were probably inserted into the previously unheated bedrooms in each cottage during this period.
Period III. 20th century. - Duruing the mid-20th century the cottages were converted to a single dwelling. This did not involve any substantial structural alterations, just adding a door opening on the ground floor between the two cottages and converting two rooms into one. On the first floor, a communicationg room was created on the landing between the two, originally distinct, dwellings. Further alterations have taken place during this century. The northern range has been altered to provide an additional living room. A large bedroom has been created by removing a partition between two rooms. Two bathrooms have been createdone of which involved the alteration of a staircase.
References
- SNA66298 - Vernacular Building Survey: National Trust (No author). 1994. Woodyard Cottage, Little Gaddesden, Ashridge, Hertfordshire.
- SNA66333 - Digital Image: Gary Marshall. 17/9/2015. Photographs taken of the interior and exterior of Woodyard Cottage, Ashridge.
- SNA67818 - Document: Carte Jonas. Sept 2018. Ashridge Woodyard Cottage Outline Schedule of Works.
Designations
None Recorded
Other Statuses and References
None Recorded
Associated Events
- ENA7830 - Heritage Assessment, Woodyard Cottage VBS, Gaddesden
- ENA7870 - Heritage Assessment, Photographs taken of the interior and exterior of Woodyard Cottage, Ashridge
- ENA9238 - Heritage Assessment, Archaeological survey of Berkhamsted Common, Frithsden Copse, Hill Farm, Little Heath, Water End Area IX on the Ashridge estate
Associated Finds
None Recorded
Related Records
None Recorded