Canvey Island is an island in the River Thames estuary off the coast of Essex. It was originally made up of five separate islands, these being mainly marshlands. Sheep farming became the major industry for many years. Before the building of sea defences the shepherds and sheep were the only inhabitants of the island.

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Canvey Island was drained and embanked by the Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden in the 17th century. Numerous Dutch workers and their families settled here and they built rather unusual octagonal cottages of which two still survive.

One cottage, in Haven Road, was built in 1621 and is still in private ownership. It has been restored and redecorated and looks most attractive.

The other cottage, further west along Canvey Road, was built in 1618 and is now run, on the Borough Council's behalf, by the Benfleet and District Historical Society as the Dutch Cottage Museum. Given to the then Canvey Island Urban District Council in 1952, it was restored, repainted and had its conical roof re-thatched ready for opening as a museum in 1962.

Further extensive restoration works have been carried out to the cottage. The rooms of the cottage, which include a living room, passage and large and small bedrooms, now contain a variety of exhibits that illustrate the history of Canvey Island, including models of the types of sailing craft which passed the Island from Roman times onward. Attached to the cottage is a new exhibition hall that houses the many exhibits (including the fine collection of corn dollies).

The Museum is open from Spring Bank Holiday to September from 2.30 to 5.00pm, on Wednesdays and Sundays and 10.00am to l.00pm and 2.00 to 5.00pm on Bank Holidays. Tel: (01268) 794005.

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Beadie -

Those are so adorable, and it's amazing that one is still privately owned. Living in a cottage built in 1621... how charming! Nice cemetery nearby, too (cemetery nut, here ).

Regards,
Diane

Hi Diane,

They are cute, aren't they!

I visited the museum cottage when I was a child, and it was a tight fit back then. I would imagine the people who live in the other cottage are not very tall and definitely not fat LOL I think I'd have trouble getting through the front door these days

To rent: Britain's oldest council home... so long as you don't mind showing the tourists round


Set in picturesque surroundings and with a quaint thatched roof, Britain�s oldest and most unusual looking council house is seeking a new tenant for just �75 a week.

But whoever is lucky enough to get their hands on the listed property will not be in for a quiet life � because a condition of the tenancy means the new dweller will have to show tourists around the historic abode.

The Dutch Cottage in Rayleigh, Essex, is thought to have been built in 1621 by immigrant settlers who helped drain the land.

But since 2005 it has stood empty after pensioners Ann and Derek Jolly upped sticks and left after 20 �happy years�.

Despite resembling a doll's house, the octagonal seventeenth century home - which measures just 20ft across � has all the mod cons, including a fully fitted kitchen and shower room.

Tamara Burton, a spokeswoman for Rochford Council, said the house, which has already generated a lot of interest, is not restricted only to people on the housing register or waiting list.

She said: �The cottage is one of the most famous landmarks in the district but we believe it�s the oldest and most unusual council house in Britain.

�Although this is a private property it is opened to the public so we are looking for a tenant who isn't phased by having a class of children looking around.

"The person we are looking for will act as a steward for the cottage and will have a knowledge of its history to pass on to other people.�

The cottage's one and only circular bedroom. At a squeeze it can fit a double bed inside

The listed home, in Crown Hill, Rayleigh, is thought to be one of only a handful of Dutch Cottages left in the UK - and the only one used as a council house.

It is also the only house still owned by Rochford Council after it transferred its stock to a housing association.

Inside it is surprisingly spacious with the open-plan living space set around a central construction of the chimney.

The open-plan living space is set around a central column of the chimney

The kitchen is at the back of the cottage and there is also a shower room. The bedroom is accessed by a steep stair case and, at a squeeze, it could fit a double bed inside.

Dutch immigrants who came to Essex to drain the land and build sea walls in the seventeenth century constructed the cottages.

The unusual octagonal structure was thought to be easy to thatch and robust, providing a 360 degree view of the surroundings.

And for the suspicious settler, the design meant there were no corners for evil spirits to lurk.

The cottage's bathroom, complete with toilet, sink and bath

Former resident Mrs Jolly, 71, who moved out of the house with husband Derek in 2005, said it was a privilege to live in there.

She said: "We loved it because we felt very close to Rayleigh's history.

"We were talking about it all the time and we were conscious it was a privilege to be looking after one of Rayleigh's monuments and having something beautiful to look after."

She said the couple's double bed had to be winched into the roof room through a window.

She added: "We had 20 very happy years and an excellent relationship with Rochford District Council, but there comes a time for everything.

�We thought it was right for someone else to live here and we had the opportunity of owning another lovely old house."

The cottage was build by Dutch settlers who came to Essex to drain the land and build sea walls, possibly as early as 1621

The cottage was given to Rayleigh Urban Council in 1964 by its owner and has remained in trust ever since.

A plate above the door is inscribed 1621 but surveyors, architects and historians who have studied the cottage say it could have actually been built as late as 1740.

Tours of the cottage would be made by prior arrangement, Mrs Burton said.


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