The Old Lodge, Bristol facts for kids
The Old Lodge, also known as the Thatched Cottage, is a very special old house in Henleaze, Bristol, England. It's famous because it's thought to be the only house in Bristol with a traditional thatched roof that is owned by a private person.
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A Look Back at The Old Lodge
This charming house was built a long time ago, around 1810. It used to be one of two small gatehouses for a big estate called Henleaze Park. This estate was home to Samuel and Walter Derham. Later, Henleaze Park became a school called St Margaret's School, but it was taken down in 1962.
The Old Lodge is quite similar to some other pretty cottages found a few miles away at Blaise Hamlet. Those cottages were designed by a famous architect named John Nash. Even though The Old Lodge looks very much like his work and was built around the same time, we don't know for sure if John Nash designed this house too.
Special Features of the Cottage
One of the most interesting things about The Old Lodge is a hidden "spy window" on the ground floor. This window allowed the person living in the lodge to see coaches passing by without having to stand right at the main door. They could watch from either the sitting room or the dining room.
The house is also a listed building. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical or architecturally special building. It was first listed in 1977.
Important Dates for The Old Lodge
1958: A New Roof
In 1958, the thatched roof got a big makeover. It hadn't been worked on for over 100 years! A company from Dunster called Webbers replaced it.
1977: Becoming a Listed Building
Officials from the Department of the Environment officially listed The Old Lodge as a Grade II building. This was because of its interesting history and special design.
1994: Another Roof Renewal
The thatched roof was replaced again in 1994. This time, a company from Wiltshire did the work, using traditional methods from the 1800s.
1995: Winning an Award
After its new roof, The Old Lodge won an Environment Award! It was given by the Bristol Civic Society (working with the Bristol Evening Post). It was one of only 10 buildings in Bristol to receive this special award that year.
