NORFOLK COTTAGE

Catherine Davis Dug Deep to turn a Dilapidated seaside Cottage into a Cosy, Characterful hideaway

A once rundown fisherman’s cottage is now a tranquil seaside home-from-home

Sometimes

in life it’s worth taking a gamble. This was certainly the case for Catherine and Simon Davis who, trusting their instincts, bought a tumbledown fisherman’s cottage, without as much as a survey.

‘When we first viewed this property in Wells-next-the-sea, it was a complete wreck, crumbling before our eyes,’ says Catherine. ‘However, the coastal location was idyllic and, from the moment we set foot inside, we were captivated by its charm and the vast potential to bring such a unique, historic property back to life.’

Back in 2015, the couple, who run a luxury B&B and glamping business in the grounds of their restored farmhouse in Foulsham, Norfolk, began yearning for a seaside bolthole; somewhere they could spend the occasional night or weekend away.

‘We love running Norfolk Courtyard, but it keeps us extremely busy, and when we want to unwind we often head to the beautiful north Norfolk coast,’ says Catherine.

That May, having begun her online search, Catherine was astonished to discover Oyster Cottage was on the market. ‘I instantly recognised it,’ says Catherine. ‘Simon and I had peered through the windows of this derelict cottage several times and mentioned how heartbreaking it was to see such a characterful building in a terrible state.’

Keen to take a closer look, Catherine set up a viewing. ‘We were due to leave for New York the following

morning for Simon’s birthday treat, but realising this was too good an opportunity to miss, I hurriedly finished the packing and we raced to Wells for a 7pm appointment.’

The next morning, having discussed the pros and cons of buying Oyster Cottage while journeying to the airport, the couple decided to ring the estate agent to put in an offer. ‘There were clearly downsides,’ says Catherine.

‘The cottage hadn’t been lived in for 70 years and was a bankruptcy sale, which sounded complicated. Inside, it was horrific, with soil and old tiles on the ground floor. The rickety staircase was rotten and there was no proper bathroom, kitchen, water or electric.’

Although most buyers would have walked away from such a challenging project, the experienced renovators could see through the cobwebs and grime. ‘We loved the cottage,’ says Catherine. ‘It was so quirky and, despite decades of decay, it had a magical, romantic feel. This was a chance to buy what was probably the last renovation project of its kind in Wells.’

Ignoring an avalanche of warnings, the pair stuck to their guns and made an offer, finally clinching the deal on Oyster Cottage 11 months later.

The couple had no idea that purchasing the cottage would take so long. ‘As soon as we arrived back in the UK, I began visualising staying in Oyster Cottage,’ says Catherine. ‘I even bought a bargain sofa from ebay, not

Catherine’s attention to detail extends to the exterior of this historic cottage. Woodwork, painted in Dix Blue; walls, in Off-white, both by Farrow & Ball.

Living room A pair of Ercol-style armchairs, snapped up from Gumtree, have been stripped and waxed for a more modern look. Blind fabric, Foy & Co. Woodburner, Arcadia Home Heating. Cushions, Country Home Antiques.

A driftwood curlew, found at a craft fair, adds another coastal touch. Chest of drawers, Holt Antiques & Interiors Centre. Chair, mirror, Country Home Antiques.