Comments on: John Thomas Smith’s Rural Cottages

By: Terry Gale

Terry Gale — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 09:32:26 +0000

I fancy the one shown as Cobham,Surrey by the hop gardens is more likely Cobham Kent.

By: Michael Kutapan

Michael Kutapan — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 19:40:13 +0000

These are some great pictures of old cottages. And I agree that their dilapidated state makes them look even more picturesque. The one in Deptford looks very unusual. And some others look like they could fall down at any moment.
Wonderfully evocative and areal delight.

By: Harry Bell

Harry Bell — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 15:53:34 +0000

Wonderful! Many thanks for sharing these.

By: Margaret N

Margaret N — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 21:31:26 +0000

Fantastic detail – really fascinating.

By: Carol Gilham

Carol Gilham — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 22:42:22 +0000

Thank you for this post, and the one you wrote about the dead man of Clerkenwell on hallowe’en. I found them both very thought provoking and moving.

By: Peter Holford

Peter Holford — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 18:47:21 +0000

Good grief! Some of them look like my brother-in-law’s sheds which he cobbled together from bits of wood. He spends all his time plugging the leaks to preserve the contents. I wouldn’t want to try and live in one of them – insanitary, damp, insect infested, etc. These pictures show buildings which are picturesque but definitely slums. The rural slums were often worse than the spec housing erected in the industrial cities. They are interesting records of the rural dwellings that often existed in what are very urban areas now. A superb picture of how much has changed in 200 years.

By: Tyler

Tyler — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 11:12:21 +0000

Thank you for these incredible images and the story behind them. These early efforts in conservationism- even if only to preserve a knowledge of what was- is inspiring.

By: Caroline Bottomley

Caroline Bottomley — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 07:38:31 +0000

What astonishing homes
Some of them look like they’re made up, they’re so handmade

By: Janet M

Janet M — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 02:29:55 +0000

Lovely. Some of them are almost like a hobbit hole (and I love hobbit holes).