A Welcome Of Light

The oak garden room forms the principal entrance to Blackamoor Cottage, and it sets the tone from the very first step. From outside, its gabled silhouette, slate roof and oak frame rise with quiet dignity from the stone base of the cottage. Full-height glazing draws the garden into view, while planted borders and pathways guide you naturally towards the French doors.

Inside, the room is luminous and grounded. Quarry tiles hold warmth underfoot, oak beams bring character and the space is anchored by a charming hobbit log burner. This small yet powerful stove ensures the garden room is as inviting on a frosty winter morning as it is on a bright summer afternoon. The room is more than an entrance; it is a place to linger, to read or to simply watch the shifting colours of the garden.

“It’s the best kind of welcome. The house greets you with light, with views and with an unmistakable sense of belonging.”

The Heart Of The Home

From the brightness of the garden room, the kitchen opens as the natural heart of the home. This is a room that blends timeless character with everyday practicality. A handmade oak kitchen, crafted with care and attention to detail, brings warmth and permanence to the space. Granite worktops give durability with versatility, while elegant fittings complete the picture. The quarry tile floor adds texture and depth, while exposed timber beams, one standing tall at the centre and others set into the walls and framing the doorway, root the room in history and give it a striking architectural rhythm.

At its centre stands a classic green Aga, radiating warmth and inviting a slower rhythm to family life. Its rich enamel surface is both beautiful and enduring, anchoring the room with quiet presence. Modern convenience is seamlessly included, with an integrated fridge and dishwasher making everyday living effortless, while the proportions of the room allow space for a breakfast table that encourages gathering throughout the day.

Daylight filters easily from the adjoining garden room, filling the space with a soft glow throughout the seasons. It is always connected, always bright, and always welcoming.

“Cooking here never feels like a chore. The Aga makes the whole room feel alive and everyone drifts in just to be near it.”

Everyday Ease

Behind the handmade oak kitchen lies a suite of practical rooms designed to make daily life effortless. A discreet WC offers convenience for family and guests, while a generous utility and prep kitchen provides valuable extra capacity. Here, an integrated fridge freezer, electric oven and hob sit alongside fitted units, with space beneath the counter for a washing machine. This makes it ideal as a preparation area when entertaining, or simply as a quieter spot for everyday cooking and household tasks.

“It’s brilliant when we’re hosting. Everything stays calm and uncluttered in the main kitchen, while this little space quietly keeps things running.”

Gathering With Style

Beyond the kitchen lies the dining room, a space where heritage and contemporary design meet in harmony. Painted timber panelling runs along the lower walls, while a striking exposed stone wall brings texture and authenticity. Above, a solid timber beam stretches across the ceiling, a reminder of the building’s 19th-century past and a feature that adds both charm and permanence.

Throughout the home, handmade oak shutters frame the sash windows, while bespoke handmade internal oak doors add richness and continuity from room to room. These crafted details bring warmth and individuality, elevating the sense of quality in every corner.

Natural light pours through twin sash windows, framing views of the south-facing garden and softening the richness of the darker wall tones. At one end, a handmade oak staircase rises gracefully to the first floor, making the dining room the natural hub of the home.

“It is the room where everything seems to connect. Meals, laughter, and the simple act of going upstairs all pass through here.”

Calm Corners

From the dining room, the cottage flows into a versatile reception space that, while one room, feels naturally divided into two distinct areas. The separation is so effective that each end has its own atmosphere and purpose, almost as though they are separate rooms.

To the left, a square archway of exposed stone with a solid timber beam frames the way into an area currently used as a home office/reading nook. Built-in shelving and painted walls make it practical yet stylish, offering a contemporary counterpoint to the cottage’s heritage features.

To the right, the sitting area becomes a cosy retreat. A log burner rests within a stone fireplace, its timber lintel and exposed stonework giving the space depth and warmth. Above, a wooden beam runs the length of the ceiling, anchoring the room with character while wall lights fixed against patterned wallpaper add softness and style. Two sash windows draw in daylight and open to views of the garden, making the room feel bright by day and atmospheric by evening.

The balance of these two zones makes the room both functional and inviting. It is a space where the rhythms of work and relaxation can exist side by side without losing the character and charm that flow throughout the cottage.

“We have loved the flexibility of this room. One side gives you space to work or unwind and the other has always been our gathering place, from winter evenings by the fire to family celebrations.”

A Suite Of Serenity

The principal suite is a room of stature and calm. Generous in scale and bathed in natural light, it has a sash window fitted with handmade oak shutters overlooking the south-facing garden. Fitted oak wardrobes provide discreet storage while a decorative fireplace anchors the room with heritage charm. The palette is soft and elegant, creating an atmosphere that feels restful yet refined.

A step down leads to the en-suite bathroom, where skylight windows fill the space with light. Exposed beams draw the eye upwards and a wooden floor adds warmth underfoot. A large shower, toilet and bidet complete the room, making it a private retreat that balances character with contemporary comfort.

“This has always been our sanctuary. The view, the shutters, the light, everything about it gives you the sense of retreating into your own world.”

Spaces To Dream

The three additional bedrooms each bring their own personality. Two are south-facing, with sash windows fitted with handmade oak shutters framing views across the garden. One of these enjoys the luxury of an en-suite shower room with a toilet and sink, ideal for guests or older children. Both rooms offer comfortable proportions and a warm, welcoming feel.

The fourth bedroom is lit by a skylight that brings brightness and airiness to the space, making it as suitable for use as a study or creative room as it is a bedroom. Bespoke handmade oak internal doors continue the sense of craftsmanship upstairs, bringing a continuity of detail that ties the whole house together.

Completing the first floor is the family bathroom, rich with character and detail. Skylight windows bring in natural light, highlighting rustic wooden beams above. A wooden bath panel and wooden floor add depth and texture while a bidet, toilet and sink complete the fittings. It is a bathroom that feels both practical and indulgent, balancing daily function with a sense of charm.

“At night the house quietens and each room feels cocooned. It is as though the walls themselves are keeping you safe.”

A Garden For All Seasons

Beyond the walls, the garden extends the home into the landscape. South-facing and thoughtfully designed, it is a space of balance and beauty. The cottage façade provides a handsome backdrop, with climbing plants softening the stone and sash windows framing views back into the house.

An expanse of lawn stretches out from the oak garden room, edged with mature borders that shift in colour across the seasons. Stone paths lead naturally between planted beds and seating spots, offering places to pause and enjoy the view. Morning light touches the house first, flooding the garden room with brightness while golden evening sun lingers towards the far end of the garden, making it the perfect spot to unwind at the close of the day.

At the far end, an Indian stone bay provides parking for one car. Beyond a short private lane sits the detached garage, designed for two cars. It has two individual entrances yet opens inside as a single connected space, with Indian stone paving at the front providing parking for two cars as well as excellent provision for storage or hobbies.

The oak garden room flows directly into this haven, so that inside and outside feel part of the same whole. Birds, breeze and shifting light are constant companions, reminding you that nature is always close.

“We’ve spent hours outside, sometimes together, sometimes alone. It’s the kind of garden that never stops giving.”