Wreck of the Week

Thought I'd show you this rather lovely Welsh chapel with sea views today. I've featured former churches and chapels several times in the past and they have their particular challenges in terms of planning permission and change of use. But they, and this seems particularly to be the case with Welsh chapels, are also pretty inspiring spaces to work with. This particular chapel sits in the village of Llaneilian, about two miles from the Anglesey port of Amlwch . Capel Selio is a good-size, single storey building with entrance, main chapel and attached school room, and with much of the original pews and features still in situ. It's Grade II listed and there are covenants in place - no details given by the agent but my guess would be the restrictions are either on the future use of the premises or on future sale profits. It's been recently re-roofed and there's mains electricity to the building, but beyond that you're on your own. There's ...

It's a while since I was last in Sowerby Bridge . I've lived in and around Bradford in the past, and that whole area of West Yorkshire is dotted with old friends and old memories. All with a strong seam of creativity running through it - from jobs in the arts sector, to amazing maker friends , to regular trips to Salts Mill, and the Piece Hall , and the Hepworth . A beautiful area of England producing beautiful things. So when I was sent Wood Lane Hall ("a beaut of a house up by us")  by reader Aaron, I knew it would be something lovely and in that gorgeous dark West Yorkshire stone I remembered. The five bedroom house is Grade I listed , built (or re-built) in the 17th century by the Deardens who, it seems, were quite the party animals. It is also said by Oliver Heywood, the local vicar, after he had recorded the death of Joshua Dearden (John's eldest son) aged 36, that he "prejudiced himself with brandy", and of John he write: "Buried Sept...

Two cute-as-buttons Scottish cottages for you today - in honour of our holiday in Scotland next week ( thanks, Nicola ). First up, Old Faskally Cottage, in Killiecrankie (what names!). The two-bedroom cottage is a quite stunning positively brimming over with original details. I spent ages just looking at these pictures... All on one level, there's a lounge, kitchen, two bedrooms and a shower room, plus a lean-to storeroom offering extension possibilities. Lovely, lovely place and reminds me of so many traditional cottages we've holidayed in over the years, in Scotland and Wales. Outside are gardens on all sides, and lovely open views, with the A9 and historic Killiecrankie a mile or so away. Old Faskally is on the market through Irving Geddes with a guide price of £150k. Details and more pictures here and here . Also in Perthshire, and a tad larger with three bedrooms over two floors (you'll want to change that), is this cottage in Bla...