Hawthorne Cottage

A Listed Cottage Reimagined

Hawthorne Cottage began as a tired Grade II listed home with failing services and a maze of small rooms. Our brief was clear, keep the soul of the building while upgrading every element for modern living. We delivered a full renovation across the house: complete rewire, total re-plumb with a new boiler, new flooring, lime-based plaster and redecoration throughout. Externally we repaired Cotswold stonework, removed redundant chimneys, patched the roof and fitted new timber windows to match the original profiles. Inside, strategic structural work opened the plan and brought daylight deep into the home, all carried out with listed building consent and conservation best practice.

At the heart of the layout is a light-filled kitchen and dining space. We removed internal walls to form a generous open plan room, then installed a glazed garden room with tall roof lights and French doors to the terrace. The kitchen was supplied by the client’s chosen maker and carefully fitted by our team, with on-site adaptations and bespoke infill units for a perfect, furniture-grade finish. The result is an elegant, practical space for everyday living and entertaining, flooded with natural light.

Character Kept, Details Elevated

Period features were restored and re-framed to sing. The original inglenook fireplace was repaired and dressed with a contemporary wood-burning stove, turning the sitting room into a warm focal point. In the snug, our joinery crafted a bespoke bookcase and base cabinetry into an awkward alcove, scribing to the irregular stone and retaining the aged timber lintel above. Discreet shelf lighting and painted shaker doors create a calm, built-in look that feels as if it has always belonged.

Bathrooms were completely renewed. A serene family bath features large-format porcelain, streamlined brassware and frosted-light windows for privacy. In the converted attic we engineered a compact shower room within the vaulted roof, setting studwork to the rafters and forming a custom enclosure around exposed beams. Every junction was considered, from sympathetic architraves and skirtings to neatly concealed services that preserve the cottage’s quiet character.

Clarke Construction were outstanding. They respected the quirks of our cottage and found clever solutions for the tricky spaces — the attic shower and the built-in bookcase look as if they’ve always been here. Communication was clear, the finish is superb, and the project was delivered on time and to the agreed budget. We’re thrilled with our home.

M Reeves

Light, Flow and Everyday Comfort

The new kitchen-dining suite anchors the home. A long island with crisp quartz worktops and a curved timber breakfast end makes cooking and gathering effortless, while pendants and concealed task lighting layer the mood from morning coffee to evening supper. Slim-profile glazing knits the interior to the garden so the room feels bright year-round. Throughout the house, careful planning, conservation-grade materials and skilled trades have created a comfortable, durable home that still feels authentically Cotswold.

Before/After

Once dark, dated and divided, the cottage is now open, bright and coherent. From rewiring and replumbing to stone repairs and bespoke joinery, every upgrade honours the building’s history while delivering the light, function and comfort of a modern home.

Work In Progress

Hawthorne Cottage was a true labour of love for the entire Clarke Construction team. From our skilled tradespeople to dedicated project managers, every team member contributed their expertise and passion to bring this vision to life. Here’s a glimpse into the journey and teamwork that shaped this remarkable project.

Our Location

We proudly serve the heart of the Cotswolds and surrounding counties, bringing our bespoke construction expertise to some of the UK’s most desirable towns and villages.

From Gloucestershire’s elegant regency town of Cheltenham to the edges of the market hub of Cirencester, to the picture-perfect villages of Bourton-on-the-Water, Moreton-in-Marsh, Broadway, Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold; through Oxfordshire’s charming Burford, Charlbury, Witney and Woodstock; and up to Warwickshire’s historic Stratford-upon-Avon. Our local knowledge, attention to craftsmanship and understanding of the unique character of each locale ensure every project enhances the beauty and value of these affluent communities.

Ready to Build Something Beautiful?

Connect with our team today and begin the journey of bringing your vision to life, from concept to creation.

Project Information