Bluehouse Cottages (EHER 38621)

Two 17th century or earlier timber framed and weatherboarded cottages with later alterations. They were used as a workhouse for the village from around 1787 for roughly 50 years. By 1844 the house was in a state of disrepair and plans were drawn up for their conversion to cottages.

August 1986. Grade II listed. Two 17th century or earlier timber framed and weatherboarded cottages with later alterations. They have a gambrelled roof covered in red plain tile with two red brick chimney stacks. There is a lean to attached to the East elevation and a 20th century hipped single storey range on the North elevation. The building was acquired as a parish workhouse in the 18th century. There is a moulded post inscribed 'MFLE 1691'. <1> See photos <2>. The ‘Blue House’ served as the workhouse in around 1787 for 50 years, the house appears on the Chapman and Andre map of 1777 and was built in the 17th century or earlier. The houses were timber framed and weatherboarded. The workhouse must have gone out of use as such before 1844 as the houses were in a state of disrepair and plans were drawn up for their conversion to cottages. They consisted of an open, communal area with a bakehouse attached on the ground floor. The first floor contained four ‘dwellings’, as did the attics. The cottages stand facing the Waterside Road at the T-junction with Maldon Road. <3>