You can’t beat the location of Rock Cottage, right by the water’s edge on Plymouth Hoe with a terrace that takes in the stunning views across Plymouth Sound. The one bedroom, one bathroom property required some remedial work when it went to auction via Auction House South West, but its potential shone through to its buyers.
Terry Coxon and Andy Ellis own a property maintenance company, and Donna Philips, publican at the Fisherman’s Arms and her partner Ross Pertiler, all had refurbishment experience in different things and had previously joined forces during lockdown to revamp the Fisherman’s Arms in Plymouth. They bought this unique waterside property and started the renovation project to turn it into a luxury holiday let in October 2023, which took eight months to complete.
While being located at the water’s edge gives it a prime position it also caused lots of problems with damp in the walls, roof and floors.
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Terry said: “The sea was undermining floors in the lounge and exterior kitchen. The roof and windows were all leaking, allowing water ingress and tripping rotten electrics.
“A small patio hole developed into a major hole under the lounge window causing cracking. It was reinforced and had to be filled. The outside steps had also eroded away and were replaced with local stone.”
While the damp caused issues that needed addressing it did lead to the stunning feature of exposed stonework inside the cottage.
Terry said: “It was a wet blank canvas and wet walls that drove the exposed stone look. Exposing stone allows a drying process that we just didn’t want to cover up. Layer upon layer had been added over years of re-plastering, all trapping in moisture. The effect grew and evolved each day as we stripped, it’s like stepping back in time.”
The room structure was kept the same but the stairs needed work and the rear kitchen door was re-opened up allowing access for repairs, light and fresh air. They did nearly all the work themselves, except for a new sewage pump, new French doors to the rear, a TV aerial and electrical checks.
Most of the items for the cottage were sourced locally through Facebook marketplace, and things like the doors, fixtures, fittings and shower parts were bought online. However two design features were brought in by the sea. The coffee table was made from a tree foot washed up by the cottage and they found a piece of glass to fit it. Then a driftwood tree also washed up during the refurbishment which now sits at the edge of the lounge.
Terry said: “Donna has a tree in the Fisherman’s Arms and thought it would be good to incorporate one in the cottage. We all had quirky ideas.”
Other items were bespoke made to fit the space and style of the property, like the simple kitchen and a coffee area under the stairs.
Terry describes the style of the cottage as individual, rustic and original. “The design just evolved around the lounge fireplace and the views. All the rooms are spacious and take in the unique location.
“Scaffold boards played a huge role in the interiors as shelves, etc. Spending a lot of time indoors makes you look into what you would want around you as a holiday let to maximise the space and view.
“It’s also historically informative, as you look into the layers of rock walls obviously built by several different builders with the material all exposed.”
Terry’s favourite place in the cottage is the loo with a view in the shower room. “It’s the best seat in the house. Also from the bath you can see Drake’s Island, Smeaton’s Tower, the lido, the Dome, Mount Edgcumbe, the Breakwater, the Mewstone and of course, naval ships and ferries.”
The freestanding bath, which is located next to the bedroom’s windows, is on a raised platform to make the most of those views. The platform also plays a practical role in hiding the pipes and plumbing.
The cottage seems to have an unusual history too. “We think it was built as part of the quarry opposite as the quarry master or harbour master’s house to oversee stone loaded onto ships for other build projects. It was built at the same time as West Hoe harbour and before the pier.”
The impressive transformation of Rock Cottage was featured on BBC ’s Homes under the Hammer series in early February, with Donna and Andy talking about the plans for the cottage.
During the episode, Homes under the Hammer presenter Martin Roberts seemed very taken with the property and said it was “probably in the most spectacular location ever featured on the show.” After seeing the renovation Martin commented: “What a transformation! This unique cottage now boasts an interior that matches its stunning location.”
Now the holiday let is complete, what’s next? Terry said: “Andy and I are always looking for a project. We are playing it safe with residential refurbishments at the moment. Maybe a holiday home in the sun!
You can find out more information about Rock Cottage via holidayletsplymouth.co.uk.
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