Izaak Walton's Cottage facts for kids
The cottage in its restored state
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Quick facts for kids General information |
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| Architectural style | Vernacular |
| Country | England |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Designated: | 1952 |
| Reference #: | 1374177 |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Timber framed |
The Izaak Walton Cottage is a special old house in Shallowford, Chebsey, Staffordshire, England. It was built a long time ago, in the 1600s, using a style called timber framing. This cottage once belonged to a famous writer named Izaak Walton. He is best known for his book The Compleat Angler, which is all about fishing. Today, the cottage is a Grade II listed building, which means it's an important historical site. It is now looked after as a museum.
Contents
History of the Cottage
Izaak Walton was born in Stafford in 1593. He ran a business in London for many years. In the 1650s, he bought some land and buildings in Shallowford, including this cottage.
The cottage is very close to a small stream called the Meece. This stream flows into the River Sow. People believe that Walton loved fishing there, and that's why he chose to live in this quiet, rural area. When he passed away in 1683, he left the cottage to help the poor people of Stafford.
The area around the cottage is still mostly countryside. However, in 1837, the Grand Junction Railway was built. This railway line runs through the valley, separating the cottage from part of the Meece stream.
Saving the Cottage
Over time, the farm and cottage became very run down. People still lived there until 1920. Then, the property was put up for sale. Some local business people from Stafford decided to save it. They formed a group called The Izaak Walton Cottage Trust.
Their goal was to create a small museum to honor the famous writer. They managed to raise £50 to buy the cottage. They also raised another £500 to fix it up. Lord Stafford officially opened the museum on April 30, 1924.
Fires and Repairs
The cottage faced some challenges after it became a museum. In 1927, sparks from a passing steam train caused a fire. The fire destroyed the cottage's thatched roof. The museum had to close for a whole year for repairs.
Another fire happened in 1938. After this, the cottage was reopened in 1939. This time, it had a new tiled roof instead of thatch. The building was officially listed as a historic site in 1952.
In 1965, The Trust that owned the cottage closed down. The Stafford Borough Council then took over looking after the building. During the 1990s, the beautiful thatched roof was brought back.
What You Can See Inside
Today, the ground floor of the museum looks like it would have in Walton's time. There are information boards that tell you all about Izaak Walton's life. You can also learn about his writings and the history of the cottage itself.
Upstairs, you'll find a collection of old fishing items. Some of these items date back to the mid-1700s. There's also a special room dedicated to Walton's important books. These include his Lives and, of course, The Compleat Angler.
Visiting the Cottage
The Izaak Walton Cottage and its gardens are open to the public. You can visit on Sunday afternoons during the summer months. It's a great place to learn about history and a famous English writer.
See also
- Listed buildings in Chebsey
