Jane Banbury renovated a 17th-century Devon cottage with a neutral palette and a contemporary nod to its coastal heritage
WordsSHARON PARSONSPhotographyRICHARD GADSBY
Ba l’ e he nu a
ms a at o tge tr ’ xo a m te om o w t e ilt n oe
Drawn to the rugged coastline and sandy beaches, Jane Banbury and husband John had always loved the area around Ilfracombe in North Devon. But with busy careers and their two young daughters happily settled in school, the couple didn’t feel like they were in a position to relocate lock, stock and barrel from their home in Kent.
However, when a cottage caught their eye in the spring of 2018, they knew they couldn’t let it go. ‘We had to ask ourselves whether we should pour our love and money into this little place to make it the best it could be, even though we couldn’t be there all the time at that point,’ recalls Jane. But there wasn’t really any question –their hearts had been won over.
Steeped in history, the village of Lee Bay feels like part of a bygone age, and the pretty cottage, which dates back to 1627, has also had an interesting and turbulent past, filled with tales of shipwrecks and smugglers. Built from local stone and shale, the cottage has been extended over time, and in recent decades was a popular tea room where visitors could take in the stunning views of the bay. By the time the family came to view the property it had already been returned to its original status as a home. Immediately inside was what would have been the original living space, leading to a much later extension at the back, which incorporated a kitchen, dining area and boot room. Upstairs, meanwhile, four bedrooms and a bathroom were tucked into the eaves. While the location was perfect, it was, as Jane recalls, somehow lacking in soul and character. ‘It’s a bit like a tardis, and much bigger than it looks from the outside,’ Jane explains. ‘But although we had no doubt it was very special, we knew it would need some investment to realise its full potential.’
Being Grade ll listed and in a conservation area meant there were certain restrictions on what could be done, but as the couple didn’t intend to make any major alterations apart from turning one of the bedrooms into a family bathroom, they were able to plan the renovation within a tight schedule of just six months. ‘We had a great team of builders, so felt confident we could pull it off,’ says Jane. ‘And we took great care to preserve as many original features as poss
