Extension to a Cottage in the Tamar Valley

Weir Cottage, Tamar Valley

A seamless extension to a historic Cottage Orné retreat on the Endsleigh Estate

Tucked into the wooded banks of the River Tamar near Gunnislake, Weir Cottage is a rare and evocative example of the Cottage Orné tradition—an architectural style rooted in Romanticism, where rustic charm is elevated through deliberate artistry. Likely commissioned by Georgina, Duchess of Bedford, as part of the Endsleigh Estate, the cottage was originally conceived as a fishing lodge and rural retreat. The Duchess, known for her love of nature and the arts, helped shape Endsleigh into a “garden paradise of the west,” commissioning celebrated landscape designer Humphry Repton to create one of Britain’s most important Picturesque gardens A.

Over the years, Weir Cottage transitioned from aristocratic hideaway to holiday accommodation, before being purchased by its current owners. Our design brief was clear: to double the size of the cottage without compromising its character. The resulting extension is so seamlessly integrated that even seasoned visitors struggle to distinguish old from new.

The Cottage Orné style—literally “decorated cottage”—was popularised in the early 19th century as a romantic counterpoint to classical architecture. These buildings were often retreats for the elite, designed to evoke an idealised rural life. Hallmarks include asymmetrical rooflines, ornate bargeboards, latticed windows, and whimsical detailing that blends into the landscape. At Weir Cottage, these features were not only preserved but subtly enhanced. The new wing mirrors the original proportions, materials, and decorative flourishes, while introducing improved spatial flow and light.

The cottage’s riverside setting, complete with a modest fishing lodge nestled among the trees, reinforces its connection to the Endsleigh legacy; a place where architecture, landscape, and leisure were designed to harmonise. This project is a quiet celebration of that ethos: a sensitive, story-rich extension that honours the past while gently supporting modern living.