Restored or built with love.
We sometimes ask ourselves if we are foolish or mad to take on the projects we do!
Each property based in Knowstone North Devon has been either lovingly restored or built and sometimes a bit of both.
Enfield House is a 13th century workers cottage we bought in 2016. We then spent the next 3 years restoring it inside and out. The end result is a truly romantic retreat. This 13th century thatched cottage hideaway is an intoxicating mix of the old and new where 21st century luxuries are artfully combined with original features to create a stunning place to stay.
Luckett Farm is a 16th century farm/manor house we managed to buy in late 2019. The property had sadly fallen into a state of disrepair, our first winter ( a very wet one) was spent with tarpaulins on the thatched roof, various creatures living in our leaky roof and no heating! By the end of the summer 2020 we had a new thatched roof and managed to get rid of all the unwelcome critters. We continued to work internally on the property and hopefully for the 2021 winter we should finally have central heating!
Keepers Lodge is actually a self contained extension of the main farm house. The original extension was knocked down in 2010 and work just about got started (but not much). By the time we restarted the work in late 2020 there were various trees and vegetation growing in the building site not to mention more unwanted inhabitants! By the end of January 2021 we had a new roof and windows fitted soon after. We finally completed the work by August.
Hawkings Hideaway was actually purchased (basic shell) from some very nice people who live on what use to be my grandparents farm, where I spent a lot of my summer and winter holidays. My grandparents were called Dorothy & Frank Hawkings so we thought it only apt to name the hut after them. We started off by preparing the site where the hut was going to be located, water is supplied by a bore hole and the electric is generated from solar panels. To maximise the amazing view we built a 40 ft decking area with a wood burning hot tub, fire pit and seating. We then managed to get the hut to site without breaking it. Once on site Sarah and I then made, fitted and decorated the interior. And in October we added a great outdoor covered space/extension to the hut for when the weather is not so nice!
Next Project 2022 – The Cowshed. This project is at the planning stage but we should start building and converting the old cowshed in 2022 and finish it mid to late 2023. Fingers crossed.
Luckett Farm
2021- Scaffolding up, thatching started
Keepers Lodge 2019!
No roof, various unwelcome inhabitants and very damp!
