Harwood Cottage, Boscastle

Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Conservation Area, Harwood Cottage is a Grade II Listed, three bedroom, Georgian cottage located within Old Town in the heart of the iconic North Cornwall coastal village of Boscastle. The restoration was led by careful consideration of context and materiality. Early engagement with Cornwall Council’s Conservation Officer contributed to the successful outcome of a planning application to replace poorly constructed and unsympathetic modern additions at the rear of the property. The new accommodation delivered an extended kitchen and dining area at ground floor with a new family bathroom above. Creating a relationship between the house and the extensive gardens, including an idyllic stream which meanders through Boscastle, was a critical element of the brief. This was balanced finely against the sensitivity of the Listed building and its historical significance. The use of traditional materials and craftmanship ensured the character of the property was maintained, whilst integrating modern forms, materials and sustainable elements such as underfloor heating and super-insulation under the gables made the house fit for contemporary living. Photograph: Indigo Estate Agents