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Edw Cottage

  • Nestled in a picturesque Welsh valley beside the River Edw, Edw Cottage is a carefully restored stone cottage and barn outbuilding, said to have once served as a smugglers’ hideout. The project involved removing deteriorating additions, refurbishing the original cottage and introducing contemporary extensions. The result is a sensitive renovation that preserves the character of the Welsh stone building in its riverside setting while creating light, comfortable and modern living spaces.
  • Client: Private
  • Status: Completed, 2012
  • Location: Aberedw, Wales
  • Contractor: J Osborne Builders Ltd
  • Structural Engineer: Clarke, Nicholls & Marcel Ltd
  • Photo Credit: Infinity Unlimited
  • Ecology Consultant: James Johnston
  • Categories: Bespoke Homes, Conservation & Heritage, Extensions & Small Projects
  • Tags: Conservation Architecture, contemporary cottage extension, Cottage Refurbishment, cottage renovation, heritage cottage renovation, lime mortar repointing, residential architects Wales, Residential Architecture, River Edw, riverside cottage renovation Wales, RRA Architects, rural architecture Wales, rural home design, South Wales architects, stone cottage restoration, stone restoration, sustainable renovation, weekend retreat, Welsh cottage renovation, Welsh valley cottage
Evening view of Edw Cottage in Wales showing the restored stone cottage with contemporary glazed extensions overlooking the River Edw.
Front evening view of Edw Cottage showing illuminated full-height glazing within the restored stone cottage beside the River Edw.
Corner glazing at Edw Cottage showing contemporary extension, restored stonework and riverside setting in Wales.
Side evening view of Edw Cottage with illuminated glazing, restored stone walls and contemporary extension in rural Wales.
Terraced grass steps and stone landscaping at Edw Cottage beside the restored stone outbuilding in Wales.
Dining area at Edw Cottage with large windows overlooking the River Edw and wooded Welsh valley.
Full-height glazing inside Edw Cottage looking directly towards the River Edw and surrounding trees.
Living and dining space at Edw Cottage with exposed stone wall, timber furniture and views through large glazing towards the River Edw.
View through exposed stone doorway into the kitchen at Edw Cottage, showing lime-repointed stonework and contemporary cottage renovation.
Kitchen at Edw Cottage in Wales showing exposed stone openings, slate flooring, oak details and a contemporary kitchen island.
Timber staircase inside Edw Cottage with exposed stone detailing and natural light from the riverside glazing.
Upper hallway inside Edw Cottage showing timber flooring, simple white walls and views towards the glazed riverside extension.
Bedroom at Edw Cottage with full-height glazing overlooking the River Edw and surrounding Welsh valley landscape.
Edw Cottage before renovation in Wales showing the original painted stone cottage, older glazed extension and rural riverside setting.
Edw Cottage during renovation in Wales showing stone walls, roof works, scaffolding and start of the new gable end extension structure beside the riverside setting.
Edw Cottage beside the River Edw showing restored stone walls, contemporary glazing and riverside landscaping.
Side view of Edw Cottage before renovation showing painted stone walls, older glazing and the original cottage form in rural Wales.
Evening view of Edw Cottage showing stone walls, slate roof, contemporary glazing and warm internal lighting in a Welsh valley setting.
Stone outbuilding at Edw Cottage before conversion into additional accommodation with sleeping deck and home office in Wales.
Restored stone outbuilding and terraced grass landscaping at Edw Cottage beside the River Edw in Wales.
Overhead before view of Edw Cottage in Wales showing the original white-painted cottage and stone outbuilding beside the River Edw before renovation.
Overhead view of Edw Cottage beside the River Edw showing the restored stone cottage, outbuilding, garden and hillside setting.
  • Evening view of Edw Cottage in Wales showing the restored stone cottage with contemporary glazed extensions overlooking the River Edw.
  • Front evening view of Edw Cottage showing illuminated full-height glazing within the restored stone cottage beside the River Edw.
  • Corner glazing at Edw Cottage showing contemporary extension, restored stonework and riverside setting in Wales.
  • Side evening view of Edw Cottage with illuminated glazing, restored stone walls and contemporary extension in rural Wales.
  • Terraced grass steps and stone landscaping at Edw Cottage beside the restored stone outbuilding in Wales.
  • Dining area at Edw Cottage with large windows overlooking the River Edw and wooded Welsh valley.
  • Full-height glazing inside Edw Cottage looking directly towards the River Edw and surrounding trees.
  • Living and dining space at Edw Cottage with exposed stone wall, timber furniture and views through large glazing towards the River Edw.
  • View through exposed stone doorway into the kitchen at Edw Cottage, showing lime-repointed stonework and contemporary cottage renovation.
  • Kitchen at Edw Cottage in Wales showing exposed stone openings, slate flooring, oak details and a contemporary kitchen island.
  • Timber staircase inside Edw Cottage with exposed stone detailing and natural light from the riverside glazing.
  • Upper hallway inside Edw Cottage showing timber flooring, simple white walls and views towards the glazed riverside extension.
  • Bedroom at Edw Cottage with full-height glazing overlooking the River Edw and surrounding Welsh valley landscape.
  • Edw Cottage before renovation in Wales showing the original painted stone cottage, older glazed extension and rural riverside setting.
  • Edw Cottage during renovation in Wales showing stone walls, roof works, scaffolding and start of the new gable end extension structure beside the riverside setting.
  • Edw Cottage beside the River Edw showing restored stone walls, contemporary glazing and riverside landscaping.
  • Side view of Edw Cottage before renovation showing painted stone walls, older glazing and the original cottage form in rural Wales.
  • Evening view of Edw Cottage showing stone walls, slate roof, contemporary glazing and warm internal lighting in a Welsh valley setting.
  • Stone outbuilding at Edw Cottage before conversion into additional accommodation with sleeping deck and home office in Wales.
  • Restored stone outbuilding and terraced grass landscaping at Edw Cottage beside the River Edw in Wales.
  • Overhead before view of Edw Cottage in Wales showing the original white-painted cottage and stone outbuilding beside the River Edw before renovation.
  • Overhead view of Edw Cottage beside the River Edw showing the restored stone cottage, outbuilding, garden and hillside setting.

Riverside Cottage Renovation in Wales

Sensitive restoration and contemporary extension of a Welsh stone cottage beside the River Edw.

The original stone construction had previously been painted, concealing much of the cottage’s natural character. As part of the renovation, the stonework was carefully exposed and repointed using lime-based mortar, restoring the texture and authenticity of the historic Welsh cottage.

A restrained palette of natural materials was introduced throughout, including oak-framed windows, stonework, slate tiles and exposed oak beams. Larger areas of aluminium-framed glazing were used selectively within the new extensions, bringing natural light deep into the interior and opening the cottage towards the River Edw.

The design balances old and new, retaining the charm and solidity of the original cottage while introducing contemporary living spaces that make the most of the riverside location. Generous glazing frames views of the valley and riverbank, while the interior remains warm, simple and grounded in natural materials.

The layout was reworked to create a comfortable home, with open living and dining spaces, a practical kitchen, light-filled bedrooms and carefully considered circulation. Exposed stone walls and restored openings add character throughout, while the new extensions provide the additional space needed for modern living without overwhelming the scale of the original building.

Some years after the refurbishment and extension of the main house, the client appointed RRA Architects for a second phase of work, converting the barn outbuilding into additional accommodation with a sleeping deck and home office. This allowed the wider site to evolve as a more flexible home while retaining the character and relationship between the cottage, outbuilding and riverside landscape.

Environmental and ecology considerations were an important part of the project. Bat boxes were distributed around the site during construction and part of the barn outbuilding was adapted to continue use as a bat roost roof, allowing the renovation to support local wildlife while bringing the buildings back into active use.

As the cottage sits on a floodplain, the river edge also required careful consideration. Gabion walls were introduced along the weakest section of the riverbank to help reduce the risk of future flooding and bank deterioration. The surrounding landscape was shaped with terraced grass steps, stone paths and simple planting, creating a natural connection between the cottage, outbuilding and river.

Edw Cottage demonstrates how a modest rural building can be transformed through thoughtful design, careful conservation and a strong response to its setting. The completed riverside cottage renovation feels rooted in its Welsh landscape while providing a calm and relaxing home.

Project Highlights

  • Riverside cottage renovation in Wales
  • Restoration of an original Welsh stone cottage
  • Contemporary glazed extensions overlooking the River Edw
  • Lime mortar repointing and exposed original stonework
  • Oak frame detailing, slate flooring and natural materials
  • Designed around light, landscape and river views
  • Flood-conscious landscaping with gabion walls
  • Ecology measures including bat boxes and a bat roost roof
  • Carefully restored barn outbuilding within the riverside setting