Ivy Cottage December 2007

Ivy Cottage stands in Church Road, on the north side more or less opposite the church. It is a contrast in size with Wootton House| nearby but a match for it in date, if not somewhat older. It was listed by the Department of Environment, the Department's architect considering that it is 17th century "or slightly earlier". The property is timber-framed covered by rendering and has a clay tile roof. It forms a T plan with a projecting two storey porch to the main wing.

In 1927 Bedfordshire was valued under the terms of the Rating Valuation Act of 1925; every piece of land and property was inspected to determine the rates to be paid on it. The valuer visiting Ivy Cottage noted that it was owned as part of the Wootton House Estate by Mrs.Doyne Ditmas and tenanted by a Mrs.Isaacs; it was then stuccoed and tiled. It comprised a dining room, drawing room and kitchen downstairs with three bedrooms and a box room above; outside were an earth closet and barn. The valuer noted: "Very nice house but v. very old indeed & in a very dilapidated state. Water from pump. Very old & shaky. Big".