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Summary

Grade II listed timber framed cottage of late 16th century origins with later additions, reputed to be associated with blanket and silk weaving

Associated Legal Designations or Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1210297: PUDDLE WHARF

Other Statuses and Cross-References

• Berkshire SMR No. (pre 2000): 01894.08.000
  
• Old Listed Building Ref (pre 1984) (III): Map No 32 16/18 Cottage on Daggs Gully
  C.16-17

Monument Type(s):

• TIMBER FRAMED HOUSE (16th century to Mid 20th century - 1551 AD to 1950 AD?)
• LOBBY ENTRY HOUSE (17th century to 18th century - 1601 AD? to 1800 AD?)
• WEAVERS COTTAGE? (17th century to Late 19th century - 1601 AD? to 1900 AD?)

Full Description

Puddle Wharf is a Grade II listed building, described as being of 16th century origins <1><2>. It is a timber-framed house with brick infill and a tiled roof; possibly its chimney is a later insertion, and the fireplace beam has 1753 scratched on it <1>. It is suggested to have been the cottage of weavers. Both blanket weaving and a silk weaving business are associated with this area <1><3>.

The First Edition Ordnance Survey mapping <4> marks 'Puddle Wharf Cottage', although this name is written close to a building centred at SU 3619 6452 which was demolished in the mid to late 20th century. This house was in an adjacent plot to the extant 'Puddle Wharf', and a small stream ran along their southern boundaries, down from Daggs Gully. It is suggested that a mill existed on the opposite side of the road known as Weavers Lane <3>, although it is not clear what industrial activity the water power was used for.

Both the listed 'Puddle Wharf' and the adjacent cottage that burnt down were depicted in a 1889 watercolour by Lucy Butler, the vicar's daughter <5>

Sources and further reading

Related Monuments

Associated Excavations and Fieldwork

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