It's probably just hopeless nostalgia, but I find it sad how the English
countryside in general and old cottages in particular have been improved, gentrified
and sanitised. This is a very rare example of a run-down imperfect cottage
that would once have been common-place in Southern England.

Here is another 'unspoilt' old property built from chalk stone that has recently been sold.
So I expect it won't look like this for much longer!