Heycroft House

The Cottage before reconstruction, 1973

Engraving of The Cottage by Robert Bryden, 1905, showing house abutting, since demolished.

Notes by Edward Roberts recording his survey of Heycroft.

Undated photo, mid 20th century

Plan by Brian Tyler showing layout of ground floor before reconstruction

National Monuments Record photograph of north west corner, ground floor.

NMR, ground floor to east.

Ceiling beams of ground floor, room to east.

Timber framing of original window of room running North - South.

Brian Tyler drawing of first floor and attic floor

First floor room, east end.

Beams in 1st floor, east end room.

1st floor, north west corner room, timber framing

First floor room running North - South. Detail of original window on South wall

First floor landing, timber framing down staircse

Elevation of building before restoration

'Plan as at present Oct 1973'

Bunting at Jubilee celebrations, 2004

Photograph of Heycroft House by Chris Warren

Heycroft in snow

Until 1973, the house was known as The Cottage, The Square. The engraving by Robert Bryden, made in 1905, shows there was a building directly next to it, on Workhouse Lane. In 1974, the building was very dilapidated, as is shown in the photographs by the National Monuments Record, taken at the suggestion of the Curator of the County Museum.

Edward Roberts surveyed Heycroft and his notes are the second image in the gallery. He estimated the date of construction of the original house at 1525, plus or minus 50 years, and of additions C – D at around 1600.

It was bought in 1973 by retired solicitor Freddie Standfield and architect Brian Tyler, who decided to restore the building. A letter from Edward Grainger of the Petersfield Area Historical Society summarises his interpretation of the history of the building. ’It is a timber framed house of 4 bays in which the two eastern bays appear to be older than the western. The chimney and fireplaces are part of the original structure which makes the date about 1580 – 1600.

A PDF is attached of a report, unsigned, which describes the work done in 1974/4. ’A direct labour force of two craftsmen was recruited, to be fortified later by a labourer.’ ’In the early spring of 1975, it is hoped that the rather sad old house of a year before will have completely regained its former dignity, charm and usefulness, and be ready for occupation, but reconstruction costs of approximately £14,000 are anticipated before completion … due to worldwide economic conditions it is feared that the venture will prove financially disastrous …’

Date of creation

1973 - 1975

Date of coverage

1580 - 2005

Place

East Meon, Heycroft House

Contributor

Capt David Bailey

Reference number

EM/0110

Accession number

2014-03-010

Storage location

Prints of National Monuments Record photographs, Library B/21, Album

Downloads

Report (620 KB Adobe Acrobat document, opens in a new window)

Report on architecture and renovation of Heycroft, 1974

Comments about this page

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This was the (rented) home of Frank and Rose Collyer, my grandparents. I spent many happy times there as a child, but it was fearsomely cold in the winter and too ridiculously large to heat efficiently! Even as kids, there was always mulled home-made elderberry wine to ‘warm yer innards.’ And hot water bottles, of course. It was, and is, a beautiful building. ‘The Cottage’; that was a misleading name if ever there was one. Yes, fond memories, and many of them…
By Andy Collyer (28/08/2019)