Dream Cottage re-visited

A return trip to "Dream Cottage," situated in a rather nice part of rural Cheshire, to show my Urbex chum "Ammers" who had the same odd desire as myself to photograph the remnants of an abandoned property. (Well two properties: semi-detached to be precise) After a thrilling time being stuck in the "carpark" that is the M6 for almost three hours and a Sat Nav that insisted on taking us via the "scenic" route, we finally arrived.

It had been 10 months since my last visit and I was a little concerned that there might be nothing left. Luckily, the place was just as I remembered it, although some of the furniture and TV sets had been moved round and a previous visitor had smashed some of the windows.

We entered the house on the left first (it being the best one to explore) There are two reception rooms to the ground floor. The room to the left of the front door had most of the furniture in it. There were four easy chairs, three TV sets, a birdcage, clocks, a coffee table, with bottles on it and an old Christmas tree.

On closer inspection, the bird cage held the remains of a real bird.

Time stands still in Dream Cottage.

A close-up of the control panel on the Bush TV set.

Somebody seems to have tried to knock through to next door. (far right corner)

The wooden stairs lead to two bedrooms - nothing much to photograph, sadly.

The second reception room was quite bare this time.

Back into the main living room, there is a small pantry leading off, containing a cupboard with shelving holding old jars and a Dettol bottle.

Into the pink kitchen where the only thing of interest was some old bottles, one of which was labelled "Poison".

Then onto the second property.

 This one was accessed round the back. The kitchen had been completely trashed. The living room was empty, with just a cream range remaining. The carpet was a "delightful" sage green shag pile which had seen better days!

The second living room appeared to have quite dodgy floor boards and very little else of interest. I have no idea who lived here or why/ when they moved out. It was a pleasant little mooch and worth a re-visit.

Farmhouse from the past

Deep in the Derbyshire countryside lies an old farmhouse that can't have seen much change since the early 20th century. The farm was probably built about 1875, and John Sandars was running the farm from 1888 (when he married) as recorded in the 1901 Census.

                                 

An internet search on the property revealed an article reproduced from the Derbyshire Advertiser in 1912.

"Entering the house under the porch, great comfort is to be found in a small space, the thick wall affording the protection necessary on these Derbyshire moors, when the furies of the winter are let lose, and windows rattle and boughs moan and strain in the fierce blasts. All is very compact, a cosy little kitchen, a sitting room of very fair size and a dainty little pantry, which Mrs. Sandars declares to be too small - it certainly although arranged with the utmost neatness appears somewhat crowded with good cheer. The sale of milk performs the principal though not the sole business of the farm. When there is a small surplus, Mrs Sandars makes a little butter for home consumption and for a few favoured customers. Not far from the house is the milk cooling shed, also a compact little place, and fitted by Mr. Sandars with a Watson's cooler, which although occupying small space offers a large cooling surface. Mr. Sandars keeps a good herd of dairy shorthorns, giving his preference to red cows: he declares that he has never in his life had any luck with a black animal, though animals of this colour thrive on many farms in the district, and certainly add a picturesque touch to the landscape". (6th Jan 1912)

This cottage is a little out of the way and I was thankfully helped to locate it by Judderman. Tucked away in a rather beautiful corner of Derbyshire, it has been left to rot quietly in peace.

The cottage is a two-up, two-down building. Of the two ground floor rooms, the one above was the best to explore as the other room was so crowded with junk.
The range, which would provide heating, hot water and cooking facilities for the inhabitants is still there, complete with kettle and pans.

Above the fireplace was an assortment of old jars, rusty tins, cups etc. The wallpaper was peeling, revealing further layers underneath, possibly from the Sandars era?

 

 A quick Google search discovered that this tin was from the 1960s or earlier. Fynnon Salts were used to treat rheumatic pain.

Apparently, Arrowroot was very popular in the Victorian era. It can be consumed in the form of biscuits, puddings, jellies and cakes.

 

In the corner, by the window, was an easy chair. On the wooden kitchen table were several old bottles, including a White Horse whiskey bottle, with a cobweb, extending from the lid to the wall. I could imagine Mr. Sandars, relaxing in his chair after a busy day on the farm; Mrs. Sandars busy cooking at the stove.

 

 

 

 

 

On the floor was a newspaper dated April 1977.

 

 

In addition to the whiskey bottle was a rum bottle and wine bottle. I guess it was a long trek to the nearest pub after a hard day toiling on the dairy farm.

 

On the opposite wall was a smaller window.

 

 

Upstairs were two bedrooms. The first was empty, save for a rather putrid old mattress on the floor.

The other room was more interesting.

 

 

Again, there were two windows, on either side of the room.

 

 

The windowsill was cluttered with a range of books, beads, receipts and an empty cardboard box of "Horse, sheep and cattle medicines".

 

 

 

I really enjoyed exploring this little cottage and its cobwebbed, rusty contents from long ago. The added bonus was its peaceful, quiet location. This would make a wonderful little countryside retreat with some TLC and hard work.