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Original poster

Sigh...lovely detached 16th century cottage

88 replies

Jackydaytona · 05/09/2023 15:49

...has come up for sale near me...

We currently live in a very boring 80s 3 bed detached. It's nice. Got everything we need. But...oh, I'd LOVE to live in period property with a walled garden (which this has)
Price wise, it's probably the same as the current house as it's on a main road and has no parking (I know... I know...!)

Come on, you lovely lot, tell me I'm an idiot. Point out all the issues of period properties... because I've got the "longing"...

Sigh.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jackydaytona · 05/09/2023 15:51

Oh, and we're 50 not young things

I know, I know....

OP posts:
Dogsitterwoes · 05/09/2023 15:57

Sounds like my dream home too.

Old properties have their pros and cons. From a practical point of view, definitely more cons. But a lot of people love them anyway.

CatherinedeBourgh · 05/09/2023 15:57

Constant maintenance
Inability to keep warm
Constant maintenance
'Nice house premium' added to all quotes for repairs
And did I mention constant maintenance?

Still, I miss my old period house and wish my new modern house was like that one...

DepartureLounge · 05/09/2023 16:05

Can you share a link with us? I love a nice character cottage!

KievLoverTwo · 05/09/2023 16:07

Life

Long

Maintenance

YouHoooo · 05/09/2023 16:08

My house is 200 years old and I wouldn’t change it for a modern one. We did absolutely everything when we moved in (new windows/ electric/ plumbing/ roof) as it was basically derelict, and I don’t think maintenance is any worse now than a new house.

A busy road would annoy me though. Would you enjoy the garden with the noise and fumes?

Original poster
Jackydaytona · 05/09/2023 16:08

I didn't really want to link ...

Part of it dates from 1789 :) quirky Garden l, outbuildings. Sigh. But doesn't look like any parking and we have 3 cars...:(

OP posts:
countrygirl99 · 05/09/2023 16:10

Listed? That means maintenance is a pain with planning permission and obtaining the right materials.
Nothing standard fits so you are forever searching for odd sizes for anything that needs replacing.

Original poster
Jackydaytona · 05/09/2023 16:14

countrygirl99 · 05/09/2023 16:10

Listed? That means maintenance is a pain with planning permission and obtaining the right materials.
Nothing standard fits so you are forever searching for odd sizes for anything that needs replacing.

Don't think it's listed,no

(I don't want to link to the listing..)

It's SO weird I've been having lots of dreams lately where we move house...(although never anywhere like this)
I don't usually dream...

OP posts:
Katmai · 05/09/2023 16:27

I so want a lovely period country cottage. Don't think I'm ever going to get one now though, not unless the lottery comes up trumps.

Silkiebunny · 05/09/2023 16:35

We have a lovely listed thatched cottage with beautiful garden, about 500 years old and love it. They generally are listed and that means getting permission for some works - things like changing a kitchen if a modern one don't need permission but other things especially involving features that are period do. Also you often can't change layout though you can sometimes extend with permission esp if neighbours have.

Sounds lovely, though 3 cars and no parking sounds tricky unless can rent a garage nearby or reduce from 3 cars. I much prefer ours to the houses we had before. I don't find any more maintenance than any other house but sometimes we need specialists which can mean delays like 18 months for a thatcher.

Original poster
Jackydaytona · 05/09/2023 16:44

Sounds gorgeous @silkiebunny 😍

In an unrelated question ...would you buy a house next door to a pub?

OP posts:
Silkiebunny · 05/09/2023 16:48

Thanks. No had a house by a pub before and never again. At first it wasn't too bad then it changed hands.

SquashPenguin · 05/09/2023 16:59

My parents live in a 600yo listed cottage. The stone walls are so thick it stays very warm in winter and very cool in summer. They do have to have special trades people come in to do work, it can’t just be any old window fitter for example, but at the same time most of the houses in their village are the same so getting people to do the work isn’t that hard. They have a gardener or else the garden would be a mess. It’s beautiful though. They wouldn’t move for the world, and I can see why!

CassiniG · 05/09/2023 17:04

Is it thatched?

Thatching spiders can be the size of dinner plates.

That's right. DINNER PLATES.

CutesyUserName · 05/09/2023 17:07

Think very carefully about what's actually involved.

We are moving out of our unusual large Grade II 16th century house in just under a month. We've really loved living here, it's definitely our 'dream house' but, the cost of everything associated with its upkeep is astronomical. The specialist insurance, the £800+ a month fuel bills (that's with us being careful!), the ridiculously time-consuming, expensive, difficult to get permissions required for doing anything (even painting the front door the same colour!)

We knew all this when we bought the house and it has been worth it to live here, but now in our 60s it's time to move to something smaller (unlisted Victorian semi villa) with fewer costs involved.

If you are prepared for a lot of expensive upkeep and can afford inflated prices for almost everything, then go for it. If not, best to let it go.

Original poster
Jackydaytona · 05/09/2023 17:08

CassiniG · 05/09/2023 17:04

Is it thatched?

Thatching spiders can be the size of dinner plates.

That's right. DINNER PLATES.

Excuse me whilst I go and douse myself in dettol 😫😫😫😫

OP posts:
Original poster
Jackydaytona · 05/09/2023 17:09

No it's not thatch (I wouldn't touch thatch tbh)

Pretty new roof from what I can see

OP posts:
CutesyUserName · 05/09/2023 17:10

Jackydaytona · 05/09/2023 16:14

Don't think it's listed,no

(I don't want to link to the listing..)

It's SO weird I've been having lots of dreams lately where we move house...(although never anywhere like this)
I don't usually dream...

Show quote history

If it's 16th century, I'd be very surprised if it isn't listed. You can check here https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/

Search the List - Find listed buildings, monuments, battlefields and more | Historic England

Search the only official list of protected historic sites. Use our map search to see which buildings or sites are protected.

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list

Original poster
Jackydaytona · 05/09/2023 17:11

CutesyUserName · 05/09/2023 17:10

If it's 16th century, I'd be very surprised if it isn't listed. You can check here https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/

Show quote history

Well, you're right, it is!
Grade 2

OP posts:
SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 05/09/2023 17:14

Parking
Parking
Parking
Parking

Sureaseggs44 · 05/09/2023 17:15

Grade 11 listing is a problem if it needs work ….does it ?

Original poster
Jackydaytona · 05/09/2023 17:16

SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 05/09/2023 17:14

Parking
Parking
Parking
Parking

Yes :(

OP posts:
Original poster
Jackydaytona · 05/09/2023 17:16

Sureaseggs44 · 05/09/2023 17:15

Grade 11 listing is a problem if it needs work ….does it ?

Not that I can see

OP posts:
SirVixofVixHall · 05/09/2023 17:16

I am confused, 16 th century, or 1789 ?
my friend has a huge 16th C house . It is lovely but a money pit.