19th century house, Downs Cottage, Arkesden (EHER 70021)

19th century Downs Cottage is a timber-framed house that was extended in 2007 with a forward projecting two storey cross-wing on a modern brick plinth following the design cues of the original house.

Like all older buildings Downs Cottage has been subjected to many changes. The 1874 Ordnance Survey for instance shows the building as two cottages. By 1897 the bake house was built (now shown as a scar in the end of the house). Downs Cottage is a timber-framed house that was extended in 2007 with a forward projecting two storey cross-wing on a modern brick plinth following the design cues of the original house. The 2006 edition of Google earth shows the cross-wing replaced a smaller flat-roofed extension. The house is cement rendered throughout with galvanised beaded quoins and drips over the modern windows. The roof is clad in 20th century plain clay tiles. The roof of the extension and the roof of the connecting part of the house dates to 2007. The rest of the house has an earlier roof with elm collars that has been comprehensively repaired and most of the rafters have been replaced with modern softwood. The presence of an asphalt membrane in the roof would indicate the work was done between 1965 and 1980. The building was originally lodged in the hillside and would have been subjected to plenty of damp conditions that would have led to decay and beetle infestation of the timbers and finishes. There is evidence in the roof space that the house was lath and plastered on the outside as well as inside. <1>