Introduction
The Berrow Cottage Homes Trust was founded by Miss Sarah Letticia Berrow in memory of her parents, William and Mary Jane Berrow.
The Berrow Cottage Homes are situated on a triangle of land bordered by the Kenilworth Road, High Street and Wilsons Row. The land was originally two plots, the bowling green and a garden and cottage. They were bought by William Berrow in 1852. When he died in 1880, he left £12.00 plus house and land to his daughter Sarah Letticia Berrow. She set up the Berrow Cottage Homes Trust in memory of her parents in 1885.
Early Days
The first cottages were built in 1886, and the architect was William Hawley Lloyd. These are the four houses facing the High Street and there is a stone plaque indicating their origin visible on a gable. The plaque states: Laus Deo: These Cottage Homes were erected in memory of William Berrow and Mary Jane his wife by their daughter S: L: B 1886.
In 1891 Miss Berrow had an old cottage (once belonging to the gardener) demolished and two new cottages were built at a cost of £385. These are Nos 2,4,6 Kenilworth Road today. One was used as an almshouse, and one was rented to the Clutton family who lived there for nearly 50 years. The Clutton family also rented the remaining land and ran a very successful market garden – strawberries were a speciality. Miss Berrow often visited the Cluttons when she was in Knowle.
About Berrow Homes Trust
The trust was originally administered by four trustees and the cottages were to be ‘for the occupation rent free of persons in reduced circumstances not of the pauper class’. Residents, or “inmates” as they were referred to, were expected to live a “respectable, sober life”, as set out in the strict rules of 1886.
Miss Berrow took an intense interest in the Trust and often visited the occupants until her death in 1923. Miss Berrow is buried with her parents in Knowle Churchyard. The Berrow Homes Trust then benefited from her will.
Residents of Berrow Homes
The inhabitants in 1901 were rather genteel: they included two retired schoolmistresses and a woman ‘living on own means’, the fourth occupant – Rebecca Hetherington – was the only one born locally. By 1928 there were five ladies living in the cottages: Miss Johnson, Mrs Harris, Mrs Davy, Miss Dobbs and Miss Lee. They each receive a pension of £13 pounds a year plus a gratuity of £4 for coal.
In 1950 the Clutton’s cottage (as it became known locally) was converted into two flats and the market garden became allotments. In 1977, the allotments became the location for a further twenty-two new homes were added. A community block was added in 2009.
21st Century
The trust continues to welcome residents and they no longer have strict rules to abide by!
Distinguishing Features
- A memorial plaque for William and Mary Jane Cook on a gable on the Berrow Home Cottages Homes
- Find the original entrance on Wilsons Road
- Read the Rules for Residents (see the image above)
- Memorial Plaque to Sarah Lettica Berrow in Knowle Parish Church (on the wall near the entrance)
Timeline:
- Mid 1700s: The land was used as a village bowling green as early as 1743
- 1852: The bowling green garden and cottage were bought by William Berrow
- 1885: Berrow Cottage Homes Trust was founded by Miss Sarah Letticia Berrow in memory of her parents, with land convened to the Trust
- 1886: The first four cottages were built facing the High Street
- 1891: Two more cottages were built facing Kenilworth Road, on the site of a former cottage
- 1950s: Clutton’s Cottage is converted to flats
- 1977: A further 22 homes were built by Berrow Homes Trust
- 1985: The Victorian cottages are modernised
Image Gallery
You will be able to see more images of Knowle in the Local History Centre located upstairs in Knowle Library.
Explore the rest of the trail
There are twelve buildings to explore on this trail.
The small print
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