The Cottage

1 Horseshoe Lane

The house called 'The Cottage' was on the corner of Horseshoe Lane and Gillingstool.  When street numbering was introduced in the early 1950's, the house became number 1 Horseshoe Lane.  However in many of the records we have looked at it is referred to as being in Gillingstool Hill, Pullins Green and even St John Street!

We are not sure when the house acquired the name of 'The Cottage'.  The name is used on documents and plans relating to the town's re-development in the 1960's.

We do not have any photos showing this house.  We would love to hear from anyone who has a photo, even it is only shows the house in the distance! We do have the following description of the house from when it was put up for sale at auction on 12th December 1950.  'An attractive freehold cottage with vacant possession.  The valuable detached cottage with garden situate at the corner of Horse Shoe Lane with good frontage to the Gillingstool Road, close to the centre of the Town, bus services and school.  The Cottage is stone-built, rough-cast over, with tile roof.  It contains 2 bedrooms, front sitting room with tiled fireplace, dining room with tiled corner fireplace and lean-to kitchen with 'Beetonette' range sink, built in cupboards and asbestos roof; also W. C. detached galvanised iron wash-house with boiler and concrete floor.  All main services connected.  In the productive garden are three fruit trees and concrete paths have been laid'. 

The 1840 Tithe Survey shows that there was a small house on the site at that time.  This was owned by Thomas Wise and occupied by John Lydiard.  Later maps in 1881 and 1969 show that the house has been extended several times.

Following Thomas's death on 8th May 1871, the Rate Book of 1885 shows the property was taken over by his son, Edward Wise and son-in-law, Lewis Wallington.  Lewis died in 1885, the 1890 Rate Book shows that Edward became the sole owner of the property, although he carried on living in Blackburn until his death in 1905.  Edward's two unmarried daughters, Charlotte and Ann Wise, continued to be the owners of the properties until their deaths in 1916 and 1937 respectively.

Click here to read more about the occupants of the house

This page was last updated: 07/04/2010