Redbourn. Beesnest Cottages

 

Beesnest Cottages as seen from North Common. 2017

Colin Wilson

 

Beesnest Cottage nameplate. 2017

Colin Wilson

 

OS 25" map Hertfordshire XXVII.10 1924 and XXVII.1895

Courtesy of Hertfordshire Archives & Local Studies

The earliest reference to Black Nest was 1657. The name changed to Beesnest from about 1839. In 1885 it was endowed as an almshouse by the Grinstead family of The Priory. There is a lovely view across North Common. A photograph from the 1920s can be found in Geoff Webb’s article on the Herts Memories website.

Historic England dates the row of five cottage tenements from early to mid 17th century. Its grade II listing dates from 9th August 1984, the reference being 1102904.

Around 2000 it was used as holiday accommodation, but the property was advertised for sale as a freehold property in 2005.

Location

Address:                      North Common, Redbourn, St Albans, Herts
OS grid reference:    51^o 47′ 48″N  0^o 24′ 11″W
Georeference:           510232 212099

References

Redbourn’s History by Alan Featherstone
Page 73
pub Redbram Books 2001  ISBN 9541948-0-2
Copy held at Redbourn library.

Herts Memories https://www.hertsmemories.org.uk/content/herts-history/towns-and-villages/redbourn-2/the-geoff-webb-collection/redbourn-places/beesnest-cottages

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1102904.
Site accessed May 2018

http://www.cottage-choice.co.uk/cottages-Bees-Nest-Cottage-27564.
Site accessed May 2018