Formerly known as Upper Beech Hyde and Beech Hyde Farm, this is a late 15th century hall house.  A cross wing was added on the eastern side in the mid-17th century.  As was then the fashion, the building was cased in red brick towards the end of the 18th century.

The current Beech Hyde Farm stands some 500 yards to the north west.

Old Beech Hyde - then still known as Beech Hyde Farm - was the subject of an arson attack in 1880, and the Herts Advertiser describes the building as having been "somewhat scorched".  It is believed that the fire was started by Thomas Wheeler, who was later convicted of a murder and hanged.  Click on the link below for more information.  

http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/oldnews/ha-1880-august-fire-beech-hyde.htm

For further information about the Grade II listing of Marford Cottage, follow the link below to the English Heritage website.

http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1102871&searchtype=mapsearch