Tarn End Cottages
Development of Tarn End Hotel, Cumbria to residential units
The Tarn End Hotel had been vacant for several years and was in very poor condition when a developer acquired the property with the aim of creating 12 residential units. Situated in a Country Park adjacent to the North Pennine Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the design proposal needed to consider the sensitive setting and the character of this much-loved ‘non-designated heritage asset.’
In collaboration with the Local Authority and the client, I developed a design that restored the historic building’s character while providing 12 new housing units and revitalising the surrounding gardens. The design included extensive repairs to the existing building, with minimal internal alterations.
The most significant aspect was the restoration of the northern façade to its original state, allowing the building’s original character and presence to be reinstated as it overlooks the lake and country park. The design preserved the attached agricultural barns, maintaining their character and incorporating large arch openings to enhance the overall housing design.
Planning permission for this design was granted in 2017, and it was subsequently developed by Geltsdale Properties Ltd. with minor alterations from 2019 to 2021. The completed project sensitively restored an important local landmark, provided new housing, and ensured that visitors to the area could enjoy this historic building and its restored gardens for future generations.