Sweet example for the Listed Property Owners Club

Late last year I was approached to speak at the Listed Property Owners Club show in February 2010 and in a lead up to the show (website) I’ve written an article for their latest magazine, Listed Heritage Jan/Feb 10. This has inspired me to feature the house, The Old Sweet Shop, in my blog!

The Old Sweet Shop - Chipstead

The Old Sweet Shop is a fabulous example of a house that has had many lives, but still retains an unmistakable historic character. It began life as a medieval hall house (attached to its neighbours) dating back to the late 15th century. For much of its early history the house would have been home to farmers and labourers working the land. Sadly, with very few early documents it is not possible to give exact details of the early residents, however, by the 18th and 19th centuries we can see that the house was still intact and home to the Cowland family.

The Cowland family appear to be connected to the house for many years, but it was during the mid 19th century that the house was divided into three separate homes, with No.22 becoming a grocers and sweet shop.

Children gather outside the sweet shop (late 19th century)

Sometime during the 1850s a large Victorian shop window was added to the house as it became a focal point for the village of Chipstead. A few years later No.26 (the other end of the house) became the working men’s club.

By the early 20th century the estate owners were selling the land and holdings, including the three homes along the Chipstead High Street. The Sales particulars show the homes described as “Two Old Fashioned Freehold cottages and the Working Men’s Club”. No.22 was described as “the end cottage compris[ing] a Shop and Parlour, Kitchen and Cellar…three good Bed Rooms and an Attic”.

1916 Sales particular

After the house was sold it was converted back to a family home and has remained so ever since. It was only in the last few years that the owners renamed the house ‘The Old Sweet Shop’ to honour its former history.

For the full history of the house go to – The history of the Old Sweet Shop