Building of the Month December 2022: Ricketts Castle, Presteigne Road, Titley, Kington, Herefordshire HR5 3RS

Situated on Presteigne Road, north of Titley, at the junction of the road towards Stansbatch, sits this small 18th-century timber-framed cottage, known as Ricketts Castle. Its location is isolated, set back from a country road, and appears to be one of the only buildings in the local vicinity. Something about its diminutive scale and mildly lop-sided character makes it almost appear to have been transplanted, scruffy yard and all, from a different moment in time.

Planning permission was granted in 2011 for a two-storey extension and conversion of the utility room to study/bedroom and improvements to vehicular access. Yet it appears this is still to take place. However, there has been some removal of shrubs around the property since this date.

It is currently in a poor state of repair and in need of a sympathetic restoration. It could make a fascinating project.