The Earl's Cottage is a former level crossing keepers cottage, lying adjacent to the former Counter Drain Railway Station. The crossing was on part of the former Spalding and Bourne Railway, which opened in 1866. The cottage is thought to have been built in the 1930s, given its architectural styling, although its exact date of construction is unclear. The building replaced a former signal box, depicted in this location on earlier historic maps of this area. The cottage is rectangular in plan, and orientated north-east to south-west, parallel to the line of the former railway track to the north. It is of two storeys, being built of brick laid in stretcher bond, which is covered by painted render to the first floor. The pitched roof is of red clay pantiles, with a central chimney stack of four flues. The entrance is to the front, south-eastern facing elevation, giving access from the former station approach road. A single-storey extension was added to the north-east side of the cottage in the later 20th century. The building was assessed for listing by Historic England in December 2020, after plans for its proposed demolition and replacement were submitted. Although the cottage is of local historical interest, it was decided that the criteria for listing was not met in this instance, due to its relatively recent date and lack of exceptional design quality. {1}{2}{3}