Mike Southon / SWNS.com
Author and naturalist Henry William Williamson’s tiny wooden hut has become one of the smallest properties to be granted listed status.
The nature author penned some of his greatest works in the tiny hut, which he built in 1929 with the profits from his most famous book, Tarka the Otter.
The one-room hideaway is situated in the remote moorland close to the village of Georgeham near Woolacomb, Devon.
According to the Telegraph, Williamson spent up to 15 hours a day inside the tiny cabin.
Mike Southon / SWNS.com
The hut was sold at an auction for a six-figure sum in May.
The new owner is believed to be planning to turn it into a retreat for modern-day writers and will open it occasionally for Williamson fans, reports the Guardian.
Local historian Philip Milton was surprised that no-one had ever made any move to protect the iconic building even though George Bernard Shaw and TE Lawrence had similar writing huts which have both been previously listed. Milton urged planners to protect the building which Williamson built himself.
SWNS.com
English Heritage finally granted the hut Grade II status this week “as an historical monument of repute”.
It added in a report: “The writing hut reflects the life and work of Henry Williamson, an important and influential 20th-century author of fictional natural and social history. The hut was his writing sanctuary and provides a tangible link with the man and his writing. With the exception of a few repairs, the hut remains unchanged since Williamson’s death in 1977.”
“It fully merits listing at Grade II, largely for this historic association.”
Following Williamson’s, death the hut was maintained by members of his family until it was sold earlier this year.
Many ot the author’s belongings have been left untouched with books, clothes, reading glasses and a gramophone record all remaining just as the reclusive wordsmith left them.
Mike Southon / SWNS.com
The wonderfully preserved writing refuge lovingly built by the Williamson at Ox’s Cross will now be protected for future generations.
Mike Southon / SWNS.com
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