in the disused smoke bay. Originally, the cat—slide only extended over part of the rear. Today, there is a continuous extension to incorporate a modern bathroom.

The smoke bay house was a design which was built within a relatively short period, and was superceded by new styles, hastened by the increased production of cheap brick. Many centrally planned houses of this period had brick chimneys from the beginning; the substitution of the cheaper smoke bay arrangement in the design of Walnut Tree Cottage might have reflected the comparatively low social status and economic resources of the builder.

SOURCES:

Tester, P.J: A Physical Survey of 164

Sidcup Hill, Foots Cray; July 1986

(unpub lished)

Harding, J: Surrey Houses, Current

Archaeology Novemeber 1980

Illustrations by Brenda Johnson