Picturesque cottages are most peoples' idea of the typical country building.
Cottages dating from the late 16th century are generally the earliest to survive. Thatched cottages at East Garston in Berkshire. Whatever material was used, traditionally this would have reflected what was locally available. This created the vernacular styles which were slowly eroded during the late 18th and 19th centuries when the large scale production of bricks, tiles and slates began. The spread of these materials, aided by improved transport links, helped to create a more uniform architectural style at the expense of regional characteristics.