Three-Bedroom Historic Lodge Renovation House Plans

in Williamscot, Oxfordshire, until they stumbled upon a 19th-century gate keeper’s lodge for sale, and couldn’t resist what the charming property had to offer. The historic structure had originally been linked to the nearby, grade II listed, Williamscot House. With its pitched roof, delicate stonework, old-fashioned windows and decorative front door, the lodge had bags of heritage charm that immediately appealed to the couple. “We’ve always loved old buildings,” says Abigail. “As soon as we viewed it, it felt like home,”

Over the years, the original structure had been extended several times, with boxy and unflattering additions. “It had sat vacant for a year. It was tired, with a dated bathroom and a substantial damp problem,” says Julian. “We knew it was a big project, but it had large windows at the back that looked out onto a gorgeous view. That’s what sold it to us. We thought, there must be something we can do to this house to make it work for us and our lifestyle.”

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The previous owner had spent 10 years attempting to obtain permission to modify the home, but was rejected each time. “We knew this going in, so we hired a planning consultant just before the purchase,” says Julian. “We were advised to work with a conservation architect, so we contacted several and met with a few. We got such a good feeling from James Mackintosh. He came across keen and knowledgeable, and understood exactly what we were after.”

Preserving the lodge’s historic integrity was crucial. James suggested removing the modern extensions to expose more of the original structure at the rear, while ensuring the new addition remained hidden from view at the front. Using the site’s topography to provide an extra lower ground floor, the built extension was inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement. “Elements of the lodge’s design have been reflected in the add-on: the scale, the width, the roof pitch and the existing floor to ceiling heights,” says James. “Architectural details, such as the timber eaves, chimneys and a slate roof have been introduced to tie the old and new elements together.”

To add a contemporary touch, James suggested the rear of the extension be finished with two large glazed gables, allowing for unobstructed landscape views. He also recommended a flipped floorplan, positioning the living spaces upstairs and the bedrooms on the new lower ground level, to make the most of the scenery.