Dutch Cottage
The Dutch Cottage is an octagonal-shaped cottage located in Rayleigh, Essex, England. It is a Grade II listed building.[1] It is both the smallest and the oldest council house in the United Kingdom.[2]
History
[edit]The cottage's history is the subject of dispute. Above the front door is an inscription which reads "1621", suggesting its year of construction. Nevertheless, surveyors, architects and historians who have studied the cottage have opined that it was not built until the eighteenth century, more specifically around 1740.[3][4] It takes its name from the association of this type of house with the seventeenth-century Dutch immigrants who constructed many of the sea walls of the south Essex coast.[5] The house is of similar construction to those at Castle Point nearby.[1]
The unusual octagonal structure is said to serve several functions. It is strong, relatively easy to thatch, and provides the occupants with a more panoramic view. Also, for the superstitious, the lack of right angles prevented evil spirits from lurking in wait around a corner.[3] The house was in private ownership until 1964.[6] It was purchased by the local council in 1965.[7]
Owners Rochford District Council opened the cottage to residential tenant applicants in 2008 for £75 per week in rent, on condition that they would make the property available for pre-arranged guided tours every Wednesday afternoon.[2] In 2017 a heritage plaque was installed.[8]
Architecture
[edit]The octagonal building has a timber frame on a brick plinth.[1] It is approximately 20 feet (6.1 m) wide.[9] It has one storey, a bedroom in the attic which is beneath the thatched roof, and a circular brick chimney.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "The Dutch Cottage". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Smallest council house for rent". BBC News. 14 July 2008.
- ^ a b "Dutch Cottage". Rochford District Council. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011.
- ^ "Dutch Cottage". Atlas Obscura. Archived from the original on 24 December 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ "Rayleigh could 'lose' its Dutch cottage". Billericay Weekly News. 2 August 2006. Archived from the original on 2 July 2010.
- ^ "September 2011 Update - Dutch Cottage". Rayleigh History. Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ "Landmark home for council tenant". BBC. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ "Heritage plaque unveiled at Dutch Cottage". Leigh Times. 3 September 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ McNally, Alex (4 September 2008). "Rayleigh Dutch cottage...smallest council house in UK". Basildon, Cavey & Southend Echo. Retrieved 15 March 2020.