Page 22 - Ickford NP Sustainability Heritage Assessment

22 VISION FOR ICKFORD : BUILT HERITAGE ASSESSMENT : ICKFORD

least two. Chimneys provide important vertical elements
in views as well as breaking up the solid mass of roof
slopes.

Thatch
Thatch is a feature in Ickford, mainly on smaller cottages
that were not reroofed with tile as it became a more popular
building material. Thatch is found on 6 % of the dwelling
houses, and 34% of the historic buildings. There are
thatched gabled and hipped or half hipped roofs. Thatched
cottages tend to have upper floor windows cut in at eaves
level rather than protruding from the roof planes although
there are examples of dormers at 5 Bulls Lane and The
Rising Sun. Decorative ridge details are common. Where
thatch has been replaced with tile, the steepness of the roof
pitch indicates reroofing. Thatch is most prevalent in the
Worminghall Road enclave of historic buildings, probably
as a result of these being lower status dwellings. There is a
further concentration off Bridge Road.

Tile
Tile is by far the most common roofing material in the
village. Older handmade tile is of mellow reds and browns,
a visually pleasing muted palette. Tiled roofs tend to have
steep pitches, mostly gabled, although some roofs have a
half hip. Other roof patterns include catslides, where part
of the roof sweeps down to ground floor level. A good
example is seen at Turnfield House.

Slate

Slate only became a common roofing material in the 19 th
century when it became more economical to transport it.
th
It is used extensively on the 19 century cottages, with a
particular grouping around the junction of Sheldon and
Bridge Road. Slate can be laid at a much shallower pitch so
rooflines tend to be lower and less dominant in views.

The Old Post Office and some of the cottages, and brick Weatherboarding
dressings enlivening the facade of buildings as diverse in
styles as Ickford House and Fairview. Brick is also utilised Weatherboarding is a particular feature of the former
in the school buildings, and the former Village reading room agricultural outbuildings. Waney-edged rough boarding,
close to the Old Rectory. black stained, can be seen on many of the surviving farm
In some cases the original brick has been overlain by buildings. It is also used on extensions to vernacular
render. This adds visual interest to the street scene with cottages, usually at single storey level. Weatherboarding is
the contrast between red brick and white painted render. used as architectural detailing on some of the newer
Brick is used extensively for chimney stacks and most buildings in the village which help tie the architectural
of the historic buildings that survive in Ickford have at detailing to the historic environment as a whole.

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