Basil Cottage

A sensitive house restoration balancing local heritage and modern living

The renovation of this grade II listed former fisherman’s cottage sensitively restores and enhances its unique, gable-fronted character.

We worked in collaboration with the owners of the cottage, who were keen to reverse previous unsympathetic alterations and complete unfinished construction work. The aim was to transform the house into a warm, functional holiday let and second home for the family.

basil cottage 3

Key updates include:

  • Internal reconfiguration
  • Removal of an old, low-quality kitchen extension
  • Relocation of the bathroom upstairs
  • A loft conversion
  • New, matching front doors for both this property and its next door neighbour, which forms part of the same listing. 

We carefully preserved the historic character of the property through the use of appropriate materials such as breathable lime render, timber windows, and conservation-grade flush-fitting roof lights.

The removal of the kitchen extension opened up a more usable garden space that better connected to the living areas. Structural repairs ensured the building's long-term stability, while new elements such as a modest additional window and updated roofing, are designed to be unobtrusive and respect the neighbour’s privacy and the visual harmony of the surrounding streetscape.

Image credit: © Photography courtesy of Classic Cottages

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