89 Walsworth Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire

The property is a typical 19th century villa, formerly called Rose Cottage, with a carriage-house and a greenhouse to the rear. Alterations to the house towards the end of the 19th century and in the 1970s removed much of the potential historic fabric, reducing its value as a heritage resource. AOC Archaeology Group was commissioned to undertake building recording works prior to its demolition.

The villa was a two storey, three-bay house with a partial cellar. Interpretation of the original function of its rooms was aided by a late 19th century auction poster for the property, which gave a title for each room. There were four major rooms on the ground floor plus a hall. These were originally a Dining Room, Drawing Room, Breakfast Room and Kitchen. On the first floor were four bedrooms and a dressing room. The only surviving internal original fixtures were ceiling mouldings in the front two rooms on the ground floor and one shuttered sash window. The carriage house to the rear had been mostly rebuilt in the 1970s, leaving little historic fabric. The greenhouse was a typical late 19th century design, and is likely to have been bought ready for assembly from a pattern.

AOC Project Officer: Les Capon
Client: Michael Shanly Homes