Folly Cottage, Grayshott, Hampshire

Designed by the practice Invisible Studio, Folly Cottage is an enchanting home nestled in the tranquil Hampshire Surrey border. What was once a modest stone-built cottage has been masterfully reimagined and extended to create a series of open spaces rooted in the surrounding landscape. Wrapping the house are resplendent gardens designed by Sam Ovens, where interwoven flowers, shrubs and trees provide year-round colour and texture. In the grounds, two distinct studios were also created in the process, both with peaceful, green views.



The Building



Folly Cottage was formerly a worker's stone cottage built in 1802, surrounded by a beautiful, traditionally pastoral landscape. The current owners worked with Invisible Studio to transform it into a home that makes the most of its setting, with swathes of glazing that seamlessly stitch together inside and out. The house was extended and opened up, resulting in a series of bright, sociable spaces that pay homage to the building's history. The contemporary extension - clad in blackened timber, a nod to the local vernacular - is positioned at a right angle to the original cottage, and has a double-pitched roof that echoes the original cottage. The project makes use of a refined palette of materials; exposed concrete including the sculptural chimney, plaster and steel.



The Architect



Invisible Studio is a RIBA Award-winning architecture practice driven by a deep commitment to architecture that instigates meaningful change. While timber is central to its material language, the practice is also known for pushing material and technological boundaries, working with the likes of earth, hemp and stone.



The Tour



From a quiet road, an electric gate opens up onto a private parking area with room for several cars. Set slightly below, at the end of an elegant pathway through a flowered garden, the house gradually reveals its dynamic silhouette. At first glance, the success of marrying the original stone cottage with contemporary materials is immediately apparent.



Entry is to a light-filled porch, with a bench on one side and a neat WC on the other. Directly ahead lies the kitchen, a marvellous space with concrete cabinetry cast in situ. A large central island provides additional preparation space and is home to an induction hob. Other appliances include a Smeg fridge and twin ovens. Opposite the cabinetry is space for a large dining table, positioned in front of slate-grey-framed glass doors that open to the garden.



The room continues into a central circulation space, home to the sculptural staircase and a log-burning stove. Concrete floors continue into the adjacent living room, set slightly lower than the preceding spaces. Arguably the contemporary heart of the home, it is illuminated by dual-aspect, floor-to-ceiling glazed doors that slide open to the garden and frame ever-changing views of the surrounding landscape. There is an additional log-burning stove here, set within a carved recess in a striking concrete wall.



The downstairs en suite bedroom has been converted into an atmospheric snug, with enveloping navy-blue walls. Upstairs, reached via the aforementioned staircase with its floor-to-ceiling steel spindles, are three further en suite bedrooms, all generous and elegantly appointed.



With a dual-pitched ceiling, the principal bedroom is especially remarkable. Three picture windows frame views of the garden and rise above a built-in bench, ideal for sitting or displaying favourite objects. An adjoining dressing room provides access to a luxurious en suite bathroom, washed in restful charcoal paint and complete with a walk-in shower and separate bathtub, positioned beneath an opening to the bedroom above.



There are two distinct studios set within the grounds, both well lit and currently used for writing. Each has a log-burning stove and is lined internally with Douglas Fir ply, and externally with blackened timber, nodding to the main house and the surrounding vernacular. The larger of the two also has a shower room and separate WC.



Outdoor Space



Extending across some 1.5 acres, the gardens are an intrinsic part of Folly Cottage and have been designed to be enjoyed both indoors and out. Overseen by Sam Ovens, the redesign makes the most of the site's gentle slopes, introducing texture and colour throughout the seasons.



Closest to the house are several dining terraces, while the larger of the two studios has its own balcony. Steps descend to a lower part of the garden, largely laid to lawn and perfect for summertime games. Mature trees line the periphery, creating a heightened sense of privacy and providing a verdant backdrop from every angle.



In addition to the two studios, there is also a gardener's shed. A pond has been added at the foot of the garden, increasing biodiversity and providing a delightful place to sit and enjoy the surroundings.



The Area



Folly Cottage sits in an area renowned for the quality of its bucolic landscape. Several National Trust sites are nearby, including Hindhead Commons and the Devil's Punch Bowl, as well as Ludshott Common, one of the largest areas of heathland in Surrey. The Arts and Crafts gem Watts Gallery is around a 20-minute drive away.



Set on the fringes of the South Downs, the house has access to an almost endless network of walking and cycling routes. Waggoners Wells, a series of man-made carp ponds, along with Frensham Ponds and Bourne Wood, are particularly popular local destinations for cycling, rambling and walking.



The closest village is Churt, with its well-loved pub and convenience store, as well as a fantastic Indian restaurant, Pipasha. Grayshott is a larger nearby village with a full range of amenities, just a few miles from the house. There are also several excellent restaurants in the area, including Maison, run by chef Ben Piette and his wife Lornette from the ground floor of their 15th-century home. Rich in architectural history, Farnham is around a 20-minute drive away and has a beautiful and bustling Georgian high street as well as a great Japanese restaurant, Sushi Jun.



There is an excellent choice of both state and private schools in the vicinity, including the highly regarded Frensham Heights.



The house is a short drive from Farnham and Haslemere stations (around 15 minutes), both of which run mainline services to London Waterloo in under an hour. The house is 25 minutes from Guildford Station, with trains to Waterloo station in half an hour. Road connections are also excellent: the house is approximately 40 miles from London, while Heathrow and Gatwick airports are both within 50 miles.



Council Tax Band: F