What is a chocolate box cottage?
With halloween around the corner I am sure we are all getting the treats in! It’s National Chocolate Week (14th Oct - 20th) so we thought we would celebrate with a chocolate themed article! Here’s our guide to chocolate box properties.
Have you ever heard of a chocolate box cottage?
The term "chocolate box" actually originates from the late Victorian times. Today it is used to describe something which is "pretty in a conventional or idealised way."
Gaining popularity back in the mid 20th century, the phrase "chocolate box cottage" derives from the picturesque scenes printed on boxes of Cadbury’s chocolates throughout the 1950s and 60s.
During this period, the confectionery company included scenes from the ‘model village’ of Bournville on their packaging.
Built in the late Victorian period by George Cadbury, Bournville's high-quality houses were constructed to house the workers at Cadbury’s nearby factory and other families from the back streets of Birmingham.
Letting the homes for a low rent, Cadbury’s socially responsible aim was to house people on lower incomes.
When these scenic images started appearing on Cadbury’s packaging, the term chocolate box cottage was coined.
The features of a chocolate box property
A thatched roof is one of the staples of a picturesque countryside home. Made from dry vegetation, such as straw, reed or heather, thatching is a specialist craft. The results are spectacular. Rustically appealing, there’s something uniquely British about a thatched roof. Not only a characteristic of Constable paintings, they’re once again being seen in new builds as their popularity increases again.
Windows and doors are other prominent aspects of an idyllic chocolate box dwelling. Decorative leadwork makes for charming windows. Shutters add style and sophistication. A window seat is another charming feature, with large oak doors adding to the pastoral feel of a house.
It’s not only doors that use quality wood. Other beautiful building materials and styles include local stone, red brick and whitewashing.
Trees and Flowers are also an attractive highlight. A traditional chocolate box home may have wisteria or roses cascading down the side, or feature foliage covering the outer walls. They’re typically set within beautiful gardens adorned with flower beds and a fruit tree or two. George Cadbury’s vision was that 75% of any Bournville building plot should be devoted to the garden. To this end, each house was allocated a lawn, a shed and a fruit tree. These are still essential facets of a perfect village scene.
A chocolate box cottage will usually have a chimney or two. It’ll boast a simple name, such as ‘Garden Cottage’, and be set within a sleepy town. There will probably be a village green or a babbling brook close by. Inside, you’d expect to find low ceilings, inglenook fireplaces and stone floors.
Here are some photos from one of our previous chocolate box cottages in Talybont, Ceredigion.
Chocolate box properties are quirky, charming and idyllic. They’re a little touch of yesteryear in an undeviating world of planning permission restricted uniformity. A talking point, these chocolate box properties are full of character and are as appealing as the sweet treats contained within the boxes carrying their image. They’re their owner’s piece of rural Britain. And who wouldn’t want a piece of that?
Do you have a chocolate box or unique home you would like to know the value of?
Why not invite us to give you a free valuation? A chance to chat and go through all things that make your home special.
sales@alexanders-online.co.uk or 01970 636 000.
Or we are available 24/7 on our social media, send us a message today.
Take care,
The Alexanders Team.