Number 6 - The Ball
Number 6 - The Ball


This highly picturesque cottage is located halfway up the steep cobbled pathway known as The Ball. Originally built in 1730 as two cottages, (numbers 4 & 6) it was later knocked into one dwelling. Although it is not a designated listed property, it has many historic features such as a deep thatched roof, timber beams, and a large inglenook fireplace which have warranted listed building status in properties of a similar age in the village.

It also has a very interesting (recently renovated) outbuilding, known by some as ‘The Chapel’, with a date plaque of 1855 above the door. It is not clear why it was given this name as it is clearly not large enough to conduct services, but it is thought by some to have been used for prayer when the weather was too bad to reach the Church. However it is more likely that it was used as a wash house and bakery as it is very similar in design to others built at the same time around the village, particularly at Church Hill Cottage. This is reinforced by anecdotes from older villagers that they remember bread being baked at the cottage and delivered around the village in a wheelbarrow.

Over the years it has had many different owners. Within living memory the house was owned by Suzanne Miles who lived with John Linham, the local butcher. At that time the butcher’s shop was next door to what is now the village shop. Other people remember a Miss Stephens (Stevens), an eccentric but very likeable older lady, who lived in the cottage from 1960 until around 1968.



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Bratton History Association.

The Bratton History Association aims to provide all those curious about local history with an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and discover more about the history of Bratton and Wiltshire. Activities include monthly meetings, talks by professional historians, visits to places of interest to historians, and our own local history project.

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