Lane outside Nos 9 to 12 Whitehall, Stroud

I've always liked this little lane, which was the original road down the hill from Whitehall into what was becoming the town centre, before tarmacadam needed flatter and more even surfaces.

The end of the lane now leads to Piccadilly Mill, whereas the road is about ten feet higher and to the right of where I was standing. That road became the 'highway' and this lane became obsolete except for the residents of these cottages, some of which were probably built in the late 18th century. The house on the left is No 9, and it and the next few cottages were Grade 11 Listed in May 1951.

The red brick building lies just beyond the steps up to Middle Street, and housed a local bakery and then a post office until the beginning of the 20th century. So many local shops and businesses were 'lost' by then.