downtonbuildings

This site was formerly occupied by the Colour Care Photo Laboratory. The vets surgery is in what were the company’s offices and DHAP is within the old laboratory itself.

You used to post off your films for cheap development in the envelope provided (probably from The Headlands Post Office a few yards away). The company concerned would send them back to Downton to be processed. Colourcare would send the pictures back to the company, who would then send them back to you in Downton.

This area was formerly known as 'Tin Town'. An army camp (Windmill Camp) was constructed here during World War Two on the site of the old school vegetable gardens, and was then used to accommodate former servicemen and their families for six years until new Council housing was built in the village.

There had also previously been a house on this site, demolished despite having been a Grade II listed building. Its listing description was: Late C18. Two-storeys and attic, brick, creeper clad, old tile roof, flanking chimneys. W. front of 3 bays with two small hipped dormer windows, 4-pane sashes, and 6-panelled central door, plain rectangular fanlight, and small flat hood. Interior may be of interest.

Behind the house was an old cottage, and Downer and Bailey's builder's yard.

Former Occupiers: (of house) Mr Downer; (of cottage) Frank Frampton.

Gardeners Cottage

Former occupiers: Mr Parker.

Rose Cottage

Former occupiers: Mrs Jolliffe (1930s- 1960s).

Stable Block

Long Close Barn

Formerly part of Steve Hill's farm yard.

Orchard House

See Long Close Barn.

Willowdene

See Long Close Barn.

Fast Rabbit Cottage

Formerly known as Lilacs.

Former Occupiers: Steve Hill (1960s).

Wheelers Cottage

Former Occupiers: Mrs Kimber (1930s- 1960s).

Reynards Lodge

Former occupiers: Gary Fox (1970s).

Anard

Former occupiers: Ronald G Moody (1964).

SOUTH SIDE (from junction with The Headlands)

Stonehurst

Formerly occupied by David Dowling as a dentist's surgery.

Former occupiers: Harold Stone (1935); John C Corby (1964).

Springfield Cottage

Former occupiers: Mr Jessop.

Long Close House

A grade II listed building.

Listing description: Detached house. Mid C17, north addition c.1840, south side rebuilt c.1890. Plastered chalk, English bond brick to rear, Welsh slate roof, brick stacks. C17 range with paralled C19 addition and bay to east. 2-storey, 5 window front. 6- panelled door in panelled reveals with fanlight and porch to left, to left is 3-light 8-pane sash with keystone, to either side is single 8-pane sash and to right are two 3-light sashes and a 6-panelled door in beaded case with flat wooden hood on cast-iron brackets. Facade divided by pilasters and plat band to first floor. First floor has three 2-light casements and a single 4-pane sash and a pair of sashes. Left return has fixed window to first floor. Rear is in English bond brick, three 2-storey canted bays with segmental-headed sashes and hipped slate roofs, between are 2- light casements and 16-pane flush sashes.
Interior has good mid C19 stairs in front extension with barley-twist carved balusters, wood panelled ceiling. Rear range has chamfered beams with ogee and jewelled stops. Reset early C17 fireplace surround in east room had arabesque carving, probably from the Market Place, Salisbury. First floor has some partly exposed timber-framed partition. Attached to east gable is late C19 glass conservatory with round-arched leaded windows, fan-laid mosaic floor and cresting to roof; by Messenger and Company of Loughborough, named on door handle.

On 12 August 1914, the first parade of the Downton and District Civilian Service Corps (the World War One equivalent of the Home Guard) took place in the grounds of Long Close House.

Former occupiers: Captain John Howard Collier; Mrs F Collier (1930s); Robert Bennett (1950s); David Greville- Heygate.

Bonvalot Memorial Gardens

See entry under The Borough.

Aleppo

1 Long Close

Heathcote