Orchard Cottage, Mackworth, Derbyshire

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned to undertake a historic building record of Orchard Cottage, 30 Lower Road, Mackworth, DE22 4NF. This record was undertaken as part of a planning condition (ref: AVA/2022/0180) for a Level 1-2 historic building record of the cottage in advance of demolition works. Orchard Cottage is not statutorily listed, but lies within the Mackworth Conservation Area. Orchard Cottage is a modest dwelling of mid-late 19th-century date, which has undergone a number of phases of alteration. Originally constructed of red brick, the building was later covered with a pebble-dash render coat, probably to homogenise the exteriors following upgrading works. These modifications likely occurred during the mid-late 20th-century and included a replacement modern roof structure, introduction of dormer windows on the first floor and larger windows to the ground floor, alterations to the chimneys and creation of a porch. A descriptive historic building record of the building was made through visual inspection, photography and measured survey (re-using existing floor plans and elevations) in accordance with the requirements of a mixed Historic England Level 1-2 record. Analysis of Room G7 revealed a substantial stopped and chamfered timber beam, likely dating to the 17th or early 18th century, which has been reused within the cottage. The origins of the beam are unknown as no other timbers of this age were found within the property. This central beam, featuring hand-tool markings, mortice holes, and filled-in peg holes, supports a gypsum floor above alongside 20 chamfered and stopped joists. The gypsum flooring in Room G9, containing straw inclusions, is indicative of an older flooring technique which was prominent across the East Midlands during the 17th-19th centuries. Signs of structural movement were evident, with large metal tie rods securing the central dividing wall. On the west elevation, an exposed cast iron anchor/pattress plate set into red brick above a later inserted concrete window lintel suggests reinforcement work undertaken in the later 20th century. Other steelwork was visible in Room G7 around both the ends of the timber beam, likely to help bear its weight as the ends currently sit above later-inserted windows. These findings illustrate the building's evolving construction history, with older structural elements re-purposed and adapted within the building.