I spent 13 years renovating my grade II listed cottage in Hampshire – here’s why I’m selling up

Thirteen years ago Claire O’Donnell purchased Rose Cottage in Tunworth, a hamlet in Hampshire. 

She fell in love with the grade II-listed cottage’s charm and character and the fact it is nestled in a quiet location but still close to amenities.   

The 68-year-old, who worked as an airline stewardess with British Airways before retraining as an interior designer after having children, has viewed the cottage as a labour of love over the years. 

The property’s previous owners had lived in France and only occasionally visited. 

When Claire and her family purchased the property, which was built in the late eighteenth century, it was clear it needed to be lived in and looked after. 

‘As they say, when the cat’s away the mice will play, and the mice were certainly at play in Rose Cottage’, Claire told This is Money.

She added: ‘The hand-made curtains in the living room were nibbled away all along the skirting boards. 

‘After carefully relocating the wildlife outside, I could see the opportunity to revitalise and restore the cottage, maintaining its period heritage while bringing it into the twenty-first century.’ 

Since buying Rose Cottage, Claire has undertaken major renovation works at the property. 

Among other works, Claire has raised the height of the ceiling in the main bedroom in order to show off the original timber beams. 

The entire cottage has been redecorated throughout and Claire curated a Jack and Jill style bathroom upstairs to create a better sense of space.  

The floor has been upgraded in the kitchen and garden room, and the height above the Aga has been raised. 

Claire converted a pair of outbuildings into a high-spec home office and utility room. She’s also shifted the paddock so its alongside the garden and built stabling for two horses. 

On the renovation process, Claire said: ‘It’s been an ongoing process since we moved in. I knew what I wanted to do initially, but then living in the cottage over the past 13 years, we’ve evolved together. 

‘There have been moments of inspiration that have led to small changes, then grander plans like converting the old office that were a few years in the making. 

‘Then the nuances of maintaining and preserving a period property play a part too –  for example, I’d been longing to have the driveway updated but had to wait until the thatch was due to be re-done first.’

The gardens at Rose Cottage, which is just a 10 minute drive from Basingstoke, are exceptional, but Claire has a little help getting them in shape.

She said: ‘I have some help in the garden. Steve keeps the lawns and hedges so beautiful and takes great pride in them. Emily is my expert gardener, her knowledge and practical skills keep the beds and formal areas bursting with colour and life.’ 

Thirteen years after moving in, Claire’s now ready to make her next move and spruce up another property. 

Claire told This is Money: ‘We’ll be very sad to leave Rose Cottage, it’s such a special place. 

‘We’re selling as we’ve reached that point where we’re ready for a new adventure and to scale down a bit. 

‘I’m from North Devon originally and a part of me has always wanted to move back, or settle near the sea.’

She added: ‘Seeing the first tulips bloom at Rose Cottage and hearing the swallows come back to nest for the summer never fails to lift my spirits. I’ll miss all of it tremendously.’ 

The home is on the market via Knight Frank, with an asking price of £1.895million.