Canvey Island: The Dutch Cottage (1621)

Image: © Nigel Cox Taken: 8 Mar 2011

In the early 17th Century Dutch engineers were employed to permanently reclaim Canvey Island from the sea, and they built a series of dykes, drains, embankments and sluices to manage the reclaimed land. Two of the houses that these engineers lived in have survived. This one is the later, dating from 1621, and is a Grade II Listed Building. The English Heritage Listed Buildings website describes it thus:- "Cottage. Dated 1621, with later rear extension. Octagonal timber framed, painted brick faced. Circular pointed thatched roof terminating in a circular red brick chimney stack. One storey and attics. Eyebrow dormer window. Small paned casement windows with later gables over. Nailed and boarded door to rear. Date 1621 to Haven Road face. Buttress to left." This one was built in a slightly elevated location, which, by the time that the 1897 Ordnance Survey map was produced, had several other buildings nearby which together formed the hamlet of Canvey. It is now a private residence. The earlier cottage is here Image and both were listed in 1952.

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