Wakes Cottage

A thoughtful upgrade to a charming, listed cottage

Wakes Cottage is a characterful mid-19th century house in the historic village of Selborne, set beside The Wakes - the former home of naturalist Gilbert White. Grade II listed and within a conservation area, the cottage was beginning to show its age: a leaking roof, poor insulation and areas of structural decline were starting to take their toll.

I was appointed to design a sensitive, sustainable scheme to secure the building’s future. The main roof was stripped and repaired where needed, then insulated using breathable natural materials to improve energy performance. I specified a mix of new and salvaged handmade clay peg tiles, reusing older ones on the more visible slopes so that the new ones can gently weather in over time.

I also upgraded the flat roof and the lead-lined gutter where the cottage meets The Wakes, increasing rainwater capacity to help the building cope with heavier rainfall and the pressures of a changing climate.

The result is a warm, resilient home that quietly performs better. Its character is intact, but it’s now better prepared for the years ahead. It’s a small but thoughtful example of how heritage buildings can evolve with care.