Granary Cottage
Granary Cottage is a historic former coach house situated on the southern side of Slip Mill Lane, within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Positioned approximately 20 metres south-west of the substantial Slip Mill House, it maintains a strong visual and historical relationship with the main estate. The site comprises the cottage, its attached yard, and a former outbuilding, forming a distinctive and self-contained group.
Both Granary Cottage and Slip Mill House are individually Grade II listed, underlining their architectural and historic significance within this protected landscape. A detailed assessment of their heritage value is provided in the accompanying Heritage Report.
The cottage itself originated as a granary built over cart standings, with an adjoining horse stable later converted for domestic use in the 1930s. Constructed in a composite manner, the ground floor is of load-bearing brickwork in Flemish bond, while the first floor is timber-framed and clad in weatherboarding. The north wall and east return wall support the former stable roof, and the building is finished with a plain-tiled, half-hipped roof. Together, the granary and stable form a reverse L-shaped plan, contributing to the property’s distinctive historic character.
We were commissioned to separate this former granary from the main estate and to reconfigure the layout as a generous four-bedroom family home. Our approach was guided by the building’s existing rhythm and proportions, with a double-height central space introduced at the heart of the house. Exposed king-pin trusses here celebrate the building’s original fabric, while enhancing light and spatial quality throughout.
Our proposal converts and restores this Grade II listed granary, reimagining it as a family home that balances heritage preservation with modern living. Wherever possible, the historic fabric is retained and celebrated, while subtle interventions provide improved functionality.
Alterations are primarily internal and will not impact the external appearance of the structures. A new freestanding staircase improves circulation, while the removal of later partition walls reinstates the clarity of the original plan form. Additional insertions define private spaces, with new bedrooms set within the historic frame. The removal of non-original ceilings reveals the original timber structure, increasing height and bringing lightness to the kitchen and shared living areas.
Key materials white-painted weatherboarding, brick, and timber are retained or replaced like-for-like where necessary, ensuring continuity with the building’s authentic fabric and its wider rural setting.
