The amazing Penelope Keith visited Montacute Borough while performing in Season 3 Episode 3 of the classic BBC sitcom "To the Manor Born"; the scenes in the Borough start at about 14 minutes into this YouTube clip (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b007bl9n/to-the-manor-born-series-3-3-horse-vs-cars).
Montacute’s Borough
The area refered to as the ‘Borough’ has shrunk through the centuries. Presently the Borough of Montacute refers to the open area opposite the National Trust’s public entrance to Montacute House, with Middle Street adjoining the north-west of the Borough and with South Street to the south-east of the Borough.
NOTES: Information from The English Heritage Extensive Urban Survey: An archeological assessment of Montacute by Miranda Richardson and British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/som says Robert of Mortain (d. 1090) or his son William founded the borough of Montacute between 1086 and c.1102, when the latter gave it as part of the foundation grant to Montacute priory (S.R.S. viii. 119; Reg. Regum Anglo-Norm. ii, p. 50.). Durand (I), prior of Montacute in the reign of Henry I, (G. Oliver, Monasticon Diœcesis Exoniensis (1896), 312; V.C.H. Som. ii. 114.) gave to the burgage tenants liberties and free customs of other Somerset burgesses (S.R.S. viii. 210.). Burgage plots were probably laid out over or adjacent to the Domesday village of Bishopston. Regular plots are portrayed on both sides of Bishopston Road on the 1782 map right up to Horn Hay Orchard and possibly also along the north side of Montacute Road. No plots are shown at the northern end of the west side of the road but this may be due to later changes. In the late twelfth or early thirteenth century Prior Mark (occurs as prior in 1237 and 1245: V.C.H. Som. ii. 115) extended the area of the borough (a novo burgo) to provide additional rents for the support of the convent kitchen. His grant to the new extension implies an already established settlement, including a merchant's house (S.R.S. viii. 210–11). Place-name evidence thus suggests that the village originated north of the church at Bishopston, and the borough and novo burgo continued the built-up area of the village eastwards from the church, around the precinct wall of the priory through Middle Street, the Borough, and part of South Street. It is unlikely that the burgesses of Montacute had any great measure of autonomy. The borough answered independently of the manor at 13th-century eyres, and writs were sent summoning two members to Parliament from the borough in 1306. (S.R.S. xi. 33, 67, 290; V.C.H. Som. ii. 184) The summons was not repeated. By 1302–3 the priory was receiving an income of 16d. from each of 51 burgages in Montacute. (S.C. 11/798). By 1540 some of these had been consolidated and others divided, giving a total of 55¾ burgages, in addition to two shambles and two shops. These properties were held at rents varying from the original 16d. to 6s. 8d., and were held by tenures ranging from socage to copyhold and life leasehold. (S.R.O., DD/PH 228/24). By 1566 there were 81 separate holdings in the borough, ranging from a sixteenth of a burgage to 1½ burgage, besides a guildhall, 9 shambles, and 2 shops. Fifty separate holdings amounting to 36 burgages, were freehold, 29 copyhold for lives, 1 copyhold at will, and 1 'free leasehold'. (Devon R.O. 123 M/E 94). By 1608 the total number of burgage tenures had been halved, and many were held for high rents. (S.R.O., DD/PH 144). The area of the borough remained a unit of local administration throughout the 18th century. By 1540 a guildhall stood in the borough. (S.R.O., DD/PH 228/24). It was still there in 1608. (S.R.O., DD/PH 228/144). It may be the 'town house and shire hall' described in 1703. (S.R.O., DD/PH 228/64). There was a lock-up in the Borough until 1845. (S.R.O., DD/SAS PR 54/5, p. 23).
FIND 1566 REF!
(This bit needs careful examination as many of the houses seem to be partially or substantially earlier):
The two-storeyed houses in the Borough, all constructed of local stone, with tiled or stone roofs, are mostly of the 18th and early 19th centuries. Near the entrance to Montacute House, however, is an earlier building comprising two dwellings. The northern end, known as Montacute Cottage, is a two-storeyed house of c. 1500, having two- and three-light mullioned windows with traceried heads and a doorway with a four-centred arch. The house may once have contained an open hall. The southern end of the range, known as the Chantry, was formerly called the Old Chantry, and has housed successively a school and a post office. The house appears to have been a later addition to the range, but the bay window at the gable-end carries a carved panel, bearing the initials of Robert Shirborne, the last prior of Montacute (1532–9), probably re-set. (Shirborne, otherwise Whitlocke or Gibbes, was appointed in 1532; the priory was dissolved in 1539: V.C.H. Som. i. 115. It was restored for a short time under Mary: E 134/5 Jas. I East. 6. For a colour drawing of the panel before recent decay see Taunton Castle, Braikenridge Colln.) Now largely residential some of these properties in the Borough were originally used for commerce and manufacture in the 18th and 19th centuries. They, and the similar dwellings in Middle and South streets, were let to weavers and other craftsmen. (S.R.O., DD/PH 63–70; ex inf. Mr. W. H. Osborne.) The Gables has smoke-blackened timbers in its former open hall and probably dates from the 16th century. Nos. 7–9 South Street represent a substantial L-shaped building of the 16th or 17th centuries, with a massive external chimney on the rear wing, a traceried three-light window in one gable-end, and an internal stud and panel partition with wide moulded studs. There is a tradition that this was the former manor-house of Montacute. (S.R.O., DD/SAS PR 54/5, p. 11. It is more likely to have been near the present house: Devon R.O. 123 M/E 92.)
The drinking fountain
Historic England 2001: ST4917 MONTACUTE CP THE BOROUGH (centre) 8/105 Drinking fountain GV II Drinking fountain for men and horses. 1902, rebuilt 1983. By A. R. Powys. Ham stone. Circular plan: central shaft and 3 outer piers linked by quasi-flying buttresses; the bottom trough occupying two of the three segments, with drain holes in the returns against the central pier; outer piers square, with moulded slightly-hipped tops; central pier hexagonal, with plain frieze band and matching cap; in east face a small niche, and in frieze a panel inscribed 'ER 1902'. Powys was the son of a vicar of Montacute; the monument was erected by the village to commemorate the Coronation of Edward VII: repeatedly damaged by traffic, it was reconstructed by the National Trust (information attached to fountain). Listing NGR: ST4980316941
Information from on Somerset Historic Environment Record website 11.06.2024:
Montacute Cottage, 1, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
Historic England 2001: ST4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOROUGH (East side) 8/106 No.1 (Montacute Cottage) 19.4.61 GV II Semi-detached house. Circa 1500 and later. Ham stone cut and squared, ashlar dressings; Welsh slate roof over stone slate base courses between stepped coped gables; stone chimney stacks. Two storeys, 3 bays. To bay 1 are chamfered mullioned windows of 3 lights, the upper plain, the lower in a chamfered recess with a C20 label over, lights square headed; to upper bay 2 a 3-light C16 traceried window with trefoil cusped slightly ogee heads in flat-arched wave-mould recess; to upper bay 3 a plain-chamfered 2-light window in chamfered recess; to lower bays 2 and 3 chamfer-mullioned windows of 3 and 2 lights in flat-arched wave-mould recesses, no labels, the lights being ogee-arched with corresponding spandrils; all windows rectangular leaded with some Iron-framed opening lights: between bays 1 and 2 a moulded 4-centre arched doorway without label, enclosing C20 boarded door. Interior not seen, but said to have been altered; it may once havel featured an open hall. (VCH Vol III, 1974). Listing NGR: ST4983916944.
Report: Bellamy, PS. Montacute: Historic Landscape Assessment. Terrain Archaeology report (2003) (page 119-20): "Roof of Welsh slates with lower courses of stone slates to West pitch. Stepped, coped gable end upon kneelers. South stack of stone shared with The Chantry. Further stone stack at north gable end. West wall hamstone cut and squared with ashlar dressings. Four centred arched doorway. One modern label mould to Wl. East roughly squared rubblestone. Vertical joint just north of stack shared with The Chantry. High plinth beneath Wl 1. Rear wing gable has modern (?rebuilt) first floor of rubblestone upon two stone corbels, which have an earlier lintel between them). Kitchen roof flat felted. Rubblestone walls (except small area of brick beneath south window).
Roof in four bays with modern timberwork to rear wing in softwood. New common rafters and felting. Squared ridge also new softwood. Two rows of butt purlins, many replaced. Trusses described separately from north to south. Truss 1: Tanned apex with original tenoned collar removed. New collar is half lapped and nailed higher up truss. Second collar has been added above and nailed in place. Both have king posts (of split, stripped poles) nailed to them with notches cut to support the ridge. Lower angle struts at floor level. Truss 2: Has retained its tenoned, cambered collar. Principal rafters have peg holes indicating a wattle and daub partition at one time. The top of the collar is grooved to accept timber staves. Two newer collars as Truss 1. One collar with king post arrangement as above. Apex obscured by later yoke plates. The foot of the east principal rafter has disintegrated and the lower purlins are supported with a new packing piece. Truss 3: Appears to be a later truss. It has a half lapped collar, which is nailed, in place. Tenoned apex with pegged yoke plate. Lower angle struts to collar. Chalked message on collar reads 'this roof reroofed and hal(f?)ed in August 1838 by Robert Childs.' Purlins cut back at rafters at this truss. Upper purlin on east side is tusk-tenoned. South gable end has double thickness of wall with some smoke blackening of outer wall (due to smoky fireplace?). Inner wall has brickwork for flue. North gable end shows brick and stone stack.
According to the V.C.H. for Somerset, the property dates from c. 1500 (Vol 111 p.212). W9 with its trefoil heads might well be of this date. A substantial number of features date from the 17th century - the property must have been vastly reconstructed at this time. The roof trusses, the depressed four centred arched fireplace in the Sitting Room, the entrance doorway and the chamfered beam in the Dining Room date to the early part of the century. The Estate plan of 1774 shows the property with two entrance doorways. The hollow chamfer mullions with ogee heads are probably 18th century. 1, The Borough and the Chantry are depicted with an L-shaped rear extension on the 1838 Tithe Map. The plain chamfered windows are likely to be 19th century. Many of the doors appear to be c. 1900. In the early 20th century the property was divided into two cottages with a communal entrance door. There was a range in the present Dining Room against the north wall. There were stairs in the north-east corner of the Sitting Room and a doorway by the fireplace. Mrs. Wood, the present tenant, believes the south wall of the entrance passage is quite recent. In the 1930s the kitchen was added by the Grace family, who also put in the present staircase. The large South bedroom was formerly divided into two smaller rooms. The roof was relined and retiled in 1983.
Outhouse 1: Pentice roof of Bridgewater tiles. Rubblestone walls.
Outhouse 2: Pentice roof of Bridgewater tiles. Rubblestone walls."
The Chantry, 2, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB (Previously The Post Office)
Historic England 2001: ST4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOR0UGH (East side) 8/107 No. 2 (The Chantry) (formerly listed as The Post Office) GV II Semi-detached house. Probably C17, but incorporating C16 work. Ham stone coursed rubble with ashlar dressings; Welsh slate roof with stone slate base courses between stepped coped gables; stone chimney stacks. Two storeys, 2 bay west elevation. Hollow-chamfered mullioned windows in chamfered recesses, 3-light below and 2-light above, all flat-headed lights except to upper bay 1 which has 4-centre arched lights; substantial chimney stick to south-west corner. South gable has a 2-storey angled bay window of 1+3+1 hollow-chamfer mullioned lights in chamfered recesses, the lower with flat heads and the upper 4-centre arched with incised spandrils under stepped hipped stone roof; there are 2 string moulds over the lower window, and then a carved panel for full width of bay featuring 2 figures carrying a shield bearing the letters R.S (for the last prior of Montacute 1532-39) and sways: to right a triangular-arched doorway without label, plain boarded door. Sundry extensions to east. Interior not seen. (VCR Vol III,1974). Listing NGR: ST4982616965.
Report: Bellamy, PS. Montacute: Historic Landscape Assessment. Terrain Archaeology report (2003) (page 119-20): "Slate roof with skylight on east side and stone slate lower courses on west side. Stepped, coped gable end with finial. Large stone stack shared by The Chantry and 1 The Borough. The Chantry also has its own central stack of ashlar stone and a further large stone stack at its south-west corner. The kitchen lean-to has its own small stone stack. West wall very roughly dressed stone brought to courses. Vertical joint to south side of the stack between the two houses. Recessed hollow chamfer mullion windows. South wall roughly dressed hamstone brought to courses dominated by two storey angled bay window under a stepped, hipped stone roof. Recessed hollow chamfer stone mullions. Below the upper window is a carved stone panel for a shield and two figures. The shield bears swags and the initials RS. Above this is a hoodmould with a dentil moulded head. There is a further hood mould over the ground floor window. The doorway has a triangular arched head. East wall rubblestone. Small area of brick between windows 9 and 10 at first floor height. Vertical joint between the two houses to north of chimney stack. Further vertical joint by Window 11. Beyond this vertical joint the wall is brought to courses. Two lean-tos against this wall. Both have pentice roofs of slate and rubblestone walls. Roof in three bays. Two king post trusses with raking struts dating most probably from early to mid 19th century. One row of butt purlins and plank ridge. Softwood. Roof is felted with widespaced rafters laid on edge. South gable end is rubble and appears to have been raised. A more regular, thinner wall rises from a thicker wall to the apex. The roof appears to have been built enclosing the original roof, as its outline in plaster remains stuck to the thicker wall. A timber lintel is discernable just above the floorline in the south gable end. The north gable end also shows the lower roof height. A diagonal timber is still extant embedded in the older wall. A brick flue line also discernable on the left hand side of the gable. Brick stack (with brick addition) emerges on a central position. Partly floorboarded. The earliest remaining feature is the panel in the south gable wall which bears the initials RS for the last Prior of Montacute (Robert Shirborne 1532-9). This is likely to have been reset as there are no other surviving 16th century features within the property. In 1774 the range of cottages is shown with three stacks and both houses have a central front entrance. The original means of circulation is no longer apparent, though the blocked original doorway in the facade is still just visible behind the vegetation of the creeper. The gable end fireplaces in the Sitting Room and in bedroom 3 and the ground floor have large chamfered ceiling beams with run out stops dating the property to the 17th century. A central stack was inserted into the property and a small lean-to added at the south-east corner in the 18th or 19th century. Various windows were added or replaced. At some stage in the 19th century the first floor was given its present layout and further windows were added. On the 1838 Tithe Map it is shown as an L-shaped building and was being used as the village school, under the occupation of William Phelips. The roof was raised in the mid-19th century and a late 19th century fireplace inserted into bedroom 2. The property was modernised c. 1940."
3, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB (3 and 4)
Historic England 2001: ST4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOROUGH (East side) 8/108 Nos. 3 and 4 19.4.61 GV II House at end of row, formerly 2. Earlier C19. Ham stone ashlar; Welsh slate roof with stone slate base courses between stepped coped gables; brick end chimney stacks. Two storeys, 3 bays. Horizontal bar casement windows in plain openings with voussoired heads, all 2-light; originally doorways between bays 1/2 and 2/3, each plain with beaded edges to recesses, the left now part blocked and converted to a window, and a former near-central window now converted to a doorway; the right doorway survives; both openings have C20 part glazed doors. Interior not seen. Included primarily for its group value in this important open area in the centre of the village. Listing NGR: ST4983916954
Old Bakery, 5, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
Historic England 2001: ST4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOROUGH (East side) 8/109 No. 5 (The Old Bakery) (formerly listed as part of Hill View) 19.4.61 GV II Cottage in row. Probably C17, modified. Ham stone cut and squared, ashlar dressings; Welsh slate roof over stone slate base courses between coped gables; brick end and intermediate chimney stacks. Two storeys, 2 bays. Formerly with chamfer-mullioned windows in chamfered recesses, with labels to lower windows, the mullions removed, and in lower bay 2 the jambs also, and replaced by 3-light horizontal-bar casement windows to all but lower bay 1, which is 2-light: between bays a moulded 4-centre arched doorway without label, C20 door; another former doorway to extreme left blocked with ashlar. Interior not seen. included primarily for its group value in this important open area in the centre of the village. Listing NGR: ST4979516893
6, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
Historic England 2001: ST4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOROUGH (East side) 8/110 No. 6 (formerly listed as part of Hill View) 19.4.61 GV II Cottage at end of row. Probably C17. Ham stone cut and squared, ashlar dressings: Welsh slate roof over stone slate base courses, with stepped coped gable to south and abutment to north; brick end chimney stack. Two storeys, single-bay. Plinth, eaves course; hollow-chamfer mullioned windows in wave-mould recesses, 4-light with label below and 3-light without label above. In south gable a chamfered 4-centre arched doorway, with a blacked 3-centre arched opening above, and a small C20 casement to right. C20 extension to rear. Interior not seen. Listing NGR: ST4984016939
7, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
Historic England 2001: ST4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOR0UGH (East side) 8/111 Nos 7 and 8 19.4.61 GV II Pair of houses at end of row, probably one formerly. C17. Ham stone ashlar; double Roman clay tiles between high coped gables, probably replacing thatch; brick end chimney stacks, one with stone base. Two storeys with attic, 3 bays. Hollow-chamfer mullioned windows in chamfered recesses, 3-lights, with continuous label string over lower windows, casements inserted, but to lower bay 3 a replacement of 2 horizontal-bar casements of 2-lights in plain openings. doorways to lower bay 2, and between bays 2/3 with C20 part-glazed doors: a former doorway between bays 1/2 part-blocked by 3-light casement. Casement window to attic in north gable; extensions to rear. Interior not seen.
Listing NGR: ST4983416928
Dolly's Cottage, 8, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
Historic England 2001: ST4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOR0UGH (East side) 8/111 Nos 7 and 8 19.4.61 GV II Pair of houses at end of row, probably one formerly. C17. Ham stone ashlar; double Roman clay tiles between high coped gables, probably replacing thatch; brick end chimney stacks, one with stone base. Two storeys with attic, 3 bays. Hollow-chamfer mullioned windows in chamfered recesses, 3-lights, with continuous label string over lower windows, casements inserted, but to lower bay 3 a replacement of 2 horizontal-bar casements of 2-lights in plain openings. doorways to lower bay 2, and between bays 2/3 with C20 part-glazed doors: a former doorway between bays 1/2 part-blocked by 3-light casement. Casement window to attic in north gable; extensions to rear. Interior not seen.
Listing NGR: ST4983416928
The Phelips Arms, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
Historic England 2001: ST4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOROUGH (East side) 8/112 Phelips Arms Hotel (formerly listed as Phelips Arms Inn) 19.4.61 GV II Hotel. C18, possibly modified in early C19. Ham stone ashlar; Welsh slate roof between tall coped gables suggesting former thatch: brick end chimney stacks on stone bases. Two storeys, 3 bays. Plinth, band courses; composite 3-unit windows in which the centre unit is always taller and of double width, with 8+16+8 pane sashes in stone architrave, the glazing bars now removed from lower sashes of lower windows; to lower bay 2 a 3-centre-arched throughway, with entrance doors in both flanking walls: projecting signs hanging on wrot-iron brackets to either side of upper bay 1. Property considerably altered to rear and internally, but is important in its context in the open area in the centre of the village. The hotel was so named by 1835: it may be the successor to the George, first mentioned in 1698 and closed in 1822. (VCH Vol III, 1974).
Listing NGR: ST4984216918
10, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
11-12, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
Prospect House, 16, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
16a, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
The Milk House, 17, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
Somerset Historic Environment Record website 11.06.2024) puts an earlier date: “Surviving details suggest that the main range dates from the early C16 when it may have extended W (now a separate property 56214). The walls and roof were raised late in the century and substantial rebuilding took place in C17. In the early C18 the south wing was added”.
Historic England 2001: ST4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOROUGH (South side) 8/113 No. 17 (The Milk House) 19.4.61 GV II Semi-detached house, possibly divided formerly, now house and restaurant. C17 and later. Ham stone ashlar, with some cut and squared work; main block has Welsh slate roof over stone slate base courses, with stepped coped east gable and continuation to west; brick chimney stacks on stone bases. 'L'-plan; 2 storeys with attic, 3-bay north elevation.
Hollow- chamfer mullioned windows of 3 lights set in chamfered recesses, with labels to lower windows, all windows having rectangular leaded panes; to lower bay 2 a near-triangular chamfered arched doorway with old boarded door under stone hood on corbel brackets, with footscraper to right: bays 1 and 2 are ashlar, bay 3 rougher work. East gable has similar doorway and hood, partly blocked and a window inserted; to first floor a 2-light mullioned window with label, and blocked oculus window to attic. Lower extension to rear under double Roman clay tiled roof, in two sections; the first in rubble stonework having a blocked doorway with timber lintol, then a cruciform chamfered mullioned and transomed window under label, with 'Milk House' incised on lintol (to avoid paying window tax)- this section apparently later raised in height; second section modified in C20; 2 bays of 2-light plain mullioned windows, with cambered-arched doorway with pair boarded doors lower bay 2. Interior not seen.
Listing NGR: ST4981316881
Candle Cottage, 18, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB (Previously The Post Office)
Historic England 2001: ST4916 MONACUTE CP THE BOROUGH (South side) 8/114 No. 13 (Post Office) and telephone call box adjoining 19.4.61 GV II House and shop in row. C18, modified. Ham stone roughly cut and squared with ashlar dressings; Welsh slate roof over stone slate base courses continuous with adjoining houses; stone slab chimney stack with traditional baffle. Two storeys, 2 bays. Hollow chamfered mullioned windows in chamfered recesses, all 3-light with inserted steel casements, with label to lower bay 2; lower bay 1 is the shopfront, a simple bay window with ashlar stall-riser, boarded door to right, under lean-to clay tiled roof with 300mm deep fascia; a letter box set into the base of the lower window bay 2: to right of this, standing about 300mm clear of house, a telephone call box, a K6 pattern. Listing NGR: ST4980516899
Borough House, 20, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB (Previously 19 and 20, The Borough)
Historic England 2001: ST 4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOROUGH (south side) 1 8/115 No.19 and 20 19.4.61 GV II House at end of row, formerly 2. C18 probably. Ham stone coursed rubble with ashlar dressings; Welsh slate roof over stone slate base courses with continuation to east and coped gable to west; central stone chimney stick. Two storeys, 4 bays. Hollow-chamfer mullioned windows of 3 lights in chamfered recesses without labels; steel casements inserted bay 1, upper bay 2 window blocked, upper bay 4 has a 3-light timber casement, the window to lower bay 1 being off-centre, with a former doorway to left now part-blocked with a 2-light casement. inserted; to lower bay 3 a C20 part- glazed door in chamfered opening under flat stone hood on brackets; to bay 4 are timber garage doors under timber lintol. Interior not seen.
Listing NGR: ST4979516893
21, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
Historic England 2001: ST4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOROUGH (West side) 8/116 No. 21 , and linking wall to south 19.4.61 GV II House at end of row, possibly 2 formerly. Early Cl9, but possibly a remodelling of an earlier house. Ham stole ashlar; double Roman clay tiled roof between stepped coped gables; yellow brick end chimney stacks. Two storeys, 3 bays. Sash windows of 12 panes in stone architraves; central doorway with C20 panelled door in recess with architrave and flat hoodmould over; straight joints suggest two doorways originally - a C20 casement now inserted to right of door. lnterior not seen. Attached to south-east corner a wing wall with simple coving and 2 order segmental- arched keystone gateway with pair boarded gates linking to No.20 (q.v) which is set at right angles on the corner of this important open space in the centre of the village.
Listing NGR: ST4978316912
22, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
Historic England 2001: ST4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOROUGH (West side) No. 22 8/118 19.4.61 GV II Cottage in row. Probably C19. Ham stone ashlar; Welsh slate roof to shallow pitch with stepped coped north gable, abutment to south; yellow brick chimney stack. Two storeys, 2 bays. Chamfer-mullioned windows in chamfered recesses with horizontal-bar casements inserted, 2-light above and 3-light with label to lower bay 1: to lower bay 2 a chamfered cambered-arched doorway with deep lintel and label, having boarded door with 2 lights inserted. Interior not seen.Listing NGR: ST4978216919
Report by Worden, M., Heritage Appraisal and Justification Statement for Rear Lean-to Extension and Conservatory to 22, The Borough, Montacute. Court Design and Conservation report (2023) says Likely to be late C18 with two room plan and winder stair at the rear.
Two Towers Cottage, 23, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
Historic England 2001: ST4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOROUGH (West Side) No. 23 and 24 8/119 19.4.61 GV II Pair of cottages. Earlier C19. Ham stone ashlar; Welsh slate roof over single stone base course, to shallow pitch, between stepped coped gables; yellow brick and stone slab intermediate chimney stacks. Two storeys, 4-bays symmetrical elevation. Small-pane casement windows of 3 lights in plain openings with voussoired flat heads, the lower windows being placed in bay 1 and 4 and centrally between bays 2/3; plain doorways to left of bay 2 and right of bay 3 with adapted boarded doors in recesses, up 2 stone steps. Interiors not seen. Listing NGR: ST4978316938
24, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
Historic England 2001: ST4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOROUGH (West Side) No. 23 and 24 8/119 19.4.61 GV II Pair of cottages. Earlier C19. Ham stone ashlar; Welsh slate roof over single stone base course, to shallow pitch, between stepped coped gables; yellow brick and stone slab intermediate chimney stacks. Two storeys, 4-bays symmetrical elevation. Small-pane casement windows of 3 lights in plain openings with voussoired flat heads, the lower windows being placed in bay 1 and 4 and centrally between bays 2/3; plain doorways to left of bay 2 and right of bay 3 with adapted boarded doors in recesses, up 2 stone steps. Interiors not seen. Listing NGR: ST4978316938
Acorn Cottage, 25, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
Historic England 2001: ST4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOROUGH (West side) 8/120 No. 25 (Acorn Cottage) and No. 26 19.4.61 GV II Pair cottages in row, probably one originally. Earlier C19. Ham stone roughly cut and squared, incorporating a number of apparently fire-reddened stones, with ashlar dressings; double Roman clay tiled roof between abutments; brick end chimney stacks. Two storeys, 2 bays. Small plain mullioned windows of 3 lights, with horizontal-bar casements inserted; in centre 2 doorways, both with chamfered cambered arches, the left with deeper lintol and probably the original, boarded doors with glazed panels set in; above door to No. 25 a lias stone plaque with shouldered semi-circular arched head - any inscription now worn away. Interiors not seen. Listing NGR: ST4978616946
Verbal communication from Bernhardt, Heike, South Somerset District Council (21/4/2022) recorded on Somerset Historic Environment Record website says “Part of the inscription on the plaque above the door is still decipherable: 'Anno D' followed by incomplete Roman numerals containing 'XX'. It would probably be legible under ideal lighting conditions”.
26, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB
ST4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOROUGH (West side) 8/120 No. 25 (Acorn Cottage) and No. 26 19.4.61 GV II Pair cottages in row, probably one originally. Earlier C19. Ham stone roughly cut and squared, incorporating a number of apparently fire-reddened stones, with ashlar dressings; double Roman clay tiled roof between abutments; brick end chimney stacks. Two storeys, 2 bays. Small plain mullioned windows of 3 lights, with horizontal-bar casements inserted; in centre 2 doorways, both with chamfered cambered arches, the left with deeper lintol and probably the original, boarded doors with glazed panels set in; above door to No. 25 a lias stone plaque with shouldered semi-circular arched head - any inscription now worn away. Interiors not seen.
Listing NGR: ST4978616946
27, The Borough, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XB (Formerly The Tudor Rose Tea Room)
Historic England 2001: ST4916 MONTACUTE CP THE BOROUGH (West side) 8/121 No 27 (The Tudor Rose Tea Room) (formerly listed as House on corner of The Borough) 19.4.61 GV II Corner house, currently tea rooms. Cl7. Ham stone cut and squared, ashlar dressings; double Roman clay tile roof between stepped coped gables with gabletted finials; brick chimney stacks. Two storeys with attic, 2 bays x 2 bays, with east gable to The Borough. Gable has hollow-chamfer mullioned windows in chamfered recesses, 3-light to upper bay 2 and single-light to attic bay 2, both with labels; later 2-light window with slim label upper bay 1: stable-type door under extended label lower bay 1, with footscraper to right; 3-light C20 shop window under keystoned false lintol to lower bay 2. Return elevation to Middle Street has a 3-light mullioned window with label to lower bay 1, with a C20 2-light small-pane casement above; lower bay 2 has a casement window inserted into former door, and above is a 3- light leaded casement of early pattern: between bays a C20 door in recess with label; north-east corner chamfered with corbel at first floor level. Interior not seen.
Listing NGR: ST4978416953
Information from on Somerset Historic Environment Record website 11.06.2024