'There was no insulation, and we needed to put out buckets every time it rained' - how this couple sensitively restored a dilapidated building from the 1850s

""To fix all the problems with our quirky old house without losing any of its magic, so that we could feel joy every time we arrived home," says Alan."

""The three-bedroom Grade II-listed Victorian property stands in a National Landscape area (formerly known as an AONB), overlooking the harbour and The Cobb at Lyme Regis, Dorset.""

""They planned to sensitively restore and renovate the dilapidated building, dating from the 1850s, while improving its overall energy efficiency.""

""There was no insulation, and we needed to put out buckets every time it rained," Suzy recalls. "Crucially, we couldn't really enjoy the sea view from the house, which was a huge shame.""

The three-bedroom Grade II-listed Victorian house in Lyme Regis stood dilapidated with no insulation and water ingress, blocking enjoyment of the sea view. The owners retained Rak Architecture to restore and renovate the 1850s property and add a 60m² side extension while preserving its character. Work included insulating the building, improving energy efficiency, and reconfiguring spaces to reveal harbour views. The project took 12 months, cost £490,000 to build on top of a £640,000 purchase price, and increased the property's value to over £1.6 million. Outbuildings of 110m² were also included in the scheme.

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