When you think of a quintessential British cottage, chances are you’ll have something a little like Watercress Cottage in your mind but this one has been provided with a stunning contemporary twist by Greenaway Architecture. Watercress Cottage couldn’t wish for a more picturesque setting, given its located right on the ruins of a castle – Farleigh Hungerford Castle in Somerset to be precise – and the design team have done a fantastic job of sympathetically bringing this building well and truly into the 21st century.

A Grade II Listed building, Watercress Cottage has the ruins of the castle visible from the patio and they are so close you can almost touch them. Connected to both the majestic-looking home’s kitchen and main living room, you’ll find the real modern twist to this build – namely, a spectacular, 33-square-metre extension that gives the home an additional bright living and dining space to what is a truly historic cottage. It’s the perfect combination of old meets new.

Designed to really showcase the fact that it is entirely conceivable to extend a historic building in a way that respects it whilst also ensuring a positive modern architectural statement, Watercress Cottage is one mighty impressive piece of architecture in our opinion here at The Coolector. The fact that the architects have incorporated these modern design elements means that there is a brand new lease of life for the building and it comes with those mesmerising views of Farleigh Hungerford Castle.

With three of the extension’s walls made from glass, the extra space does an excellent job of opening up the home’s northwest wall, which brings more an abundance of natural light and far superior views of the surrounding countryside and spring-fed pond that sits alongside the property’s patio. The extension was crafted from a thin steel frame with glass-to-glass corners to give almost unbroken views of the relaxing pond and it serves as the perfect spot to unwind.