Bulcote NG14, Notts.

Image: © David Hallam-Jones Taken: 19 May 2013

"King's Barn", a former early-C18th farmhouse, standing at the side of a section of the "Old Main Road". Bulcote railway crossing, Bulcote Farm and the River Trent are all situated behind the photographer. Beyond the phone box lies another section of the "Old Main Road" that leads - within minutes - to the A612 (Nottingham-Southwell) Road. Thanks to Nigel Edwards Walker (Occupant 1961-1985) for the following information: Bulcote Farm was built in 1527 at a cost of £43 (information extracted from the original deeds) and is the oldest surviving property in the hamlet of Bulcote. The property was extended in Victorian times and split into two homes to house two separate farm labourers' families when the village's farm was re-sited nearer to the river. It was at this point that the property was renamed Holly Cottages. This took place when Joseph Merrick's family (of "The Elephant Man" fame) occupied one of the homes whilst his father was employed on the farm. My parents bought the derelict property in 1961 when it had been standing empty for more than ten years. It was marketed as being for sale either for renovation, or for demolition, with planning consent for up to ten new properties on the plot. My parents chose to renovate it (long before Newark & Sherwood District Council decided to list it) and they converted it back into one home (which was when the kitchen was added to the southern elevation) and they turned the bungalow, that was attached to the stable, into a feedroom and treble garage. It was at this time that my mother renamed the property King's Barn.

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