18/08/2026
🏡 Project Spotlight | Vatch Cottage, The Vatch, Slad Valley
We recently had the pleasure of revisiting one of our completed projects, and it was wonderful to see how beautifully it has settled into its surroundings.
Nestled within the picturesque hamlet of The Vatch in the Slad Valley, Vatch Cottage is the white building pictured on the far left of this historic photograph. Originally built as the coach house serving the local paper mill, it was designed to impress, with finely dressed stone and beautifully detailed windows adorning the front elevation, while the rear was constructed using more traditional undressed stone.
When the current owners purchased the property in 2016, they embarked on an ambitious restoration to return the cottage to its former glory while creating a sympathetic extension that respected its historic character. Working alongside MC Thomas Building Services (07887 988068), every decision was made with the building’s heritage firmly in mind.
We were proud to play a part in that journey by crafting replacement arched stone windows with traditional tracery to faithfully match the surviving originals. For the new extension, we created complementary stone windows with simpler detailing, ensuring the new work sat harmoniously alongside the historic fabric of the building. We also supplied cropped building stone, quoins and coping stones to complete the project.
Inside, the stone window surrounds perfectly frame the breathtaking views across the Slad Valley. One window has even earned the affectionate nickname of the “Vicar of Dibley window”, thanks to its resemblance to the famous church window from the much-loved television series.
Projects like this are a privilege to be part of, preserving the character of historic buildings while ensuring they can be enjoyed for generations to come.
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