1-14 Hill Cottages, Hollybush Hill, Great Bentley (EHER 40558)

Late 19th century Worker Cottages built by John Cathles Hill founder of the London Brick Co.

Survey of Industrial housing in Essex John Cathles Hill (1858 – 1915) was the founder and sole proprietor of the London Brick Co. until it was incorporated into LBC Ltd in 1910. Thirty-two houses called Hill Cottages were built for the employees on the West side of Hollybush Hill on the road frontage of the brick works. They were built as four terraces of 6 (nos. 1 – 6), 8 (nos. 7 – 14), 12 (nos. 15 – 26) and 6 (nos. 27 – 32). The houses were all built of red brick under slate roofs. Most have been re-roofed with tiles and some have had the brick rendered over. The red brick chimneys with red and yellow chimney pots are largely unspoilt. The number of different window and door styles indicate that the originals have been replaced. With the exception of nos. 1 - 6 which have a steeper roof pitch, all others have the partition fire wall extending above the roof level. <1>