6 to 7 Battlesden

6 to 7 Battlesden January 2008

There are very few houses in Battlesden today. The same has been true for over a hundred years. 6 to 7 Battlesden stand in the centre of the village (such as it is) opposite Centre Farm. They are comparatively modern as they do not appear on the 1882| Ordnance Survey map for the parish but do appear on the 1901| map. A datestone indicates that they were built by the Duke of Bedford in 1887.

The property was valued in 1927 under the Rating Valuation Act 1925; every piece of land and building in the country were assessed to determine the rates to be paid on them. The valuer noted [DV1/A/10/7a-b] that 6 Battlesden was occupied by J.Tucker, stood in 0.256 acres and paid 17/4 per annum rent to the owner, the Duke of Bedford. Number 7 was occupied by J.Clarke, also stood on 0.256 acres and paid 17/4 rent.

Both properties were cement faced with slate roofs. They were also identically laid out, both having two reception rooms, a kitchen, three bedrooms above and an earth closet outside. The shared a common wash-house. the valuer noted: "Water from well. Lamps. V.good cotts"