Monument record MWX3075 - 19th century workers' housing, Maryland, Brownsea Island, Studland

Pottery workers' settlement called Maryland was built in 1855. The four buildings that comprise the settlement are visible on aerial photographs of 1947.

Pottery workers' settlement called Maryland was built in 1855 on the north-west coast of the island. (1)
The four buildings that comprise the settlement are visible on aerial photographs of 1947 in the north western corner of Brownsea Island. The buildings are arranged in a curving line and each measure 19 m by 4 m. This site was digitally plotted during the South West Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Dorset). (2)

<1> Papworth, M, 1992, Brownsea Island, Dorset. Wessex region, 112,092 (Unpublished document). SWX1390.

A pottery workers settlement called Maryland was built on the north-west coast of the Island. The sales particulars of 1859 (DCRO photocopy 167) describes them as “five blocks of brick-built and slated gable cottages, the walls compoed and with rustic quoins, each block comprising four dwellings containing two bedrooms, with two living rooms, and porch entrance and kitchen to each with their necessary fixtures and fittings. There are eight common closets at rear; one block is in unfinished state.” The cottages were used until the 1920s but when the islanders were evicted in 1929 they began to fall into disrepair. The fire of 1934 and the bombings of the 1940s added to their dilapidation and they were finally demolished in 1963. The buildings are visible as a series of brick footings covered in brick debris. There are several iron basins or “coppers” scattered amongst the debris. Traces of a rubbish dump associated with the settlement is eroding from the coast just north of the settlement. This consists of a black sediment with glass and pottery mixed with it. Visited 25/2/1992

<2> Royal Air Force, 17-JAN-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1930 3047-8 (Aerial Photograph). SDO12692.

Record last edited

Sep 8 2024 4:00PM