Chapel on the Hill: A Stunning Conversion into a Modern Holiday Cottage

Retaining the Charm of the Past while Embracing the Comforts of the Present

This beautiful chapel, built in 1880, boasts great proportions and elegant architectonic details. Located in a picturesque rural neighborhood with panoramic views of the North Pennines, the main inspiration for this conversion was the raw beauty of the landscape and the amazing open horizon, with the chapel sitting in the midst of it. The goal was to enable visitors to experience this amazing spectacle combined with the history of the chapel.

The great achievement of this conversion lies in the way it retained the original characteristics of the chapel. The tall Gothic windows and the main congregation hall have been preserved, while a modern and sensitive interior design has been introduced. The result is a beautiful, harmonious, and comfortable space flooded with natural light.

During the conversion, all main connections such as water, electricity, and sewage treatment were installed. To retain the original look, the historic stonework was preserved, and the roof tiles were recycled. New wooden window frames were installed to match the original windows. The building was also insulated to ensure sustainability and comfort for guests. In the interior, the roof trusses were retained with a natural finish, and the use of tiles on the back wall complemented the generous ceiling height and spaciousness.

The Chapel on the Hill features two floors: the ground floor and the mezzanine floor, with a total floor area of 141 m2. It operates as a self-catering holiday cottage, offering a unique and memorable experience for visitors.

The renovation project started in December 2013 and finished in May 2015, although it took nearly 18 months instead of the planned 12 months due to severe weather conditions. The contractors often had to stop work because it was impossible to work in the driving rain and gale force winds. The Chapel on the Hill is located in Forest-in-Teesdale, UK.

Extensive research was conducted to retain as much of the original look and feel of the chapel as possible. Ecological and structural surveys, as well as heritage appraisals, were carried out. Additionally, research was conducted on the local neighborhood and traditional materials. The results of these surveys were later used in the sensitive development of the conversion design concept.

One of the main challenges faced during the planning stage was the limited space on the ground floor. To overcome this, a mezzanine floor was proposed. However, inserting another floor without obstructing the Gothic windows presented a challenge of limited headroom on the first floor. To ensure the upstairs rooms functioned well, a 1:1 mock-up was built to test the new layout in full-scale.

The Chapel on the Hill, with its stunning conversion and preservation of the past, offers a unique and unforgettable holiday experience. Surrounded by the rolling hills and beautiful countryside of rural England, it is a testament to the harmonious blend of history and modernity.

Image Credits: Chris Humphreys

Awards and Accolades: The Chapel on the Hill was awarded the Silver A' Design Award in 2016 in the category of Architecture, Building, and Structure Design. This prestigious award recognizes the outstanding expertise and innovation demonstrated by the design, showcasing a remarkable level of excellence and introducing positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.