Brook Farm

A Grade II Listed Heritage Home Restored

Brook Farm is a Grade II listed 17th-century timber-frame cottage situated just north of Tewkesbury. As part of our wider service offering, we bring specialist expertise in heritage architecture. At Brook Farm, our goal was to reverse the unsympathetic 1984 alterations that had diminished the property’s historic charm and character.

 

The Brief

The clients wanted to transform the 1984 extension into a practical and welcoming family home. They asked for the kitchen to be extended and reconfigured to create a spacious, open-plan cooking and dining area. The design also needed to fit a family-sized dining table and a central island. This would provide space for both everyday living and entertaining.

In addition, they wanted a direct connection between the kitchen and an adjoining outbuilding. That outbuilding would become a walk-in pantry to improve functionality. The existing dining room was to be redesigned as a cosy snug, while the utility room and WC would be modernised with more practical layouts. Finally, they wanted the landscape and entrance experience improved by reinstating historic features and enhancing the site’s character.

The challenge was clear: upgrade the home while protecting the original listed building.

 

The Work

We focused on restoring character and removing poor-quality changes. They chose oak-framed construction for the new extension, echoing the gable wing demolished in 1984. In addition, glazed screens were introduced to bring natural light into the kitchen and open views of the gardens and paddocks.

The new layout turns the kitchen and dining room into the heart of the home. It features an L-shaped kitchen, a large island, and seating for eight around a dining table. The adjoining outbuilding is transformed into a modern pantry, linked by an oak-framed walkway. Inside, the old dining room is redesigned as a snug. The utility and WC are upgraded with clever storage solutions. Outside, several derelict outbuildings are removed, and as a result, the original cottage becomes more visible and celebrated.

The landscaping plan strengthens the sense of arrival. It reinstates the historic pedestrian entrance, adds a natural pool, and introduces wildflower planting with tiered seating areas. These changes improve biodiversity while creating inviting outdoor spaces.

Importantly, the original 17th-century wattle-and-daub cottage stays untouched. All work focuses on the later extension. Therefore, the historic structure is preserved while modern living needs are met.

 

Outcome

Brook Farm shows how heritage and listed architecture can respect history while designing for today. The project enriches family life and restores lost heritage. As a result, Brook Farm will remain an important part of Tewkesbury’s rural landscape for generations to come.