Dodford cottage open to public for guided tours (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Dodford cottage open to public for guided tours

10:10am Thursday 21st February 2013 in News

A HISTORIC Dodford cottage is open for another season of guided tours.

Rosedene, the National Trust owned Chartist cottage, is open for guided tours on the first Sunday of every month, through to December 1.

The cottage was built as part of the Chartist movement, which campaigned for social and political reform in the mid-19th century. One of its initiatives was to settle ordinary workers on smallholdings so they could be self-sufficient and would be entitled to vote.

Visitors to the cottage can learn about the radical movement, and how Rosedene played its part.

The cottage was first occupied in 1849, and is largely unaltered since the Victorian era.

Period fittings and furniture have also been added to recreate how the cottage may have appeared in the late 19th century.

The cottage also offers an organic garden, which includes a restored orchard with nearly 100 fruit trees of traditional varieties.

Rosedene services manager, Alice Madden, said: “The guided tours provide visitors with a fascinating opportunity to learn about how people lived in Rosedene, with each room having a specific use.

“You can also discover more about the history of the Chartist movement. Outside, visitors will see the garden that was crucial to the Chartists’ self-sufficient way of life.”

Entry to Rosedene is by pre-booked guided tour only. Admission costs £5 for adults, £2.50 for children, £12.50 for families.

Tours are available for free to National Trust members.

To book a place on a guided tour call 01527 821214.

Anyone interested in booking a stay at the cottage can find out more at the National Trust cottages website; nationaltrustcottages.co.uk.