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Ffion and James Baker renovated a Grade II-listed Georgian farmhouse in rural Cornwall over two years, adding modern family spaces while restoring historic details. The work included insulation and a new heating system, a reconfigured kitchen and dining area, and a new roost for protected bats found in the roof.
Ffion and James Baker have spent two years renovating a Grade II-listed Georgian farmhouse in rural Cornwall, reworking its interior for family life while restoring historic features. The project also involved improving insulation and heating in the granite building and responding to the discovery of protected bats in its roof, according to an Ideal Home report.
The Bakers bought the property despite not having been actively looking to move. Ffion told Ideal Home that its combination of a farmhouse, land, stables and outbuildings made it a rare opportunity. James, a property developer who specialises in Grade II-listed buildings, had experience relevant to the work.
The house had previously been used as part of an equestrian centre. The couple found run-down outbuildings and an interior Ffion described as decorated in 1980s colours. Their plan was to make the farmhouse a family home and convert barns into a holiday let. The report says Ffion now runs her holistic therapy business from one of the converted outbuildings.
Inside the house, the couple opened up the kitchen and dining area to create a shared family space. They also restored beams, updated the kitchen and bathrooms, and added panelling. The kitchen has hand-painted grey units and marble worktops, while the hallway includes bespoke storage. In a daughter’s bedroom, they stripped back deteriorated plaster, installed new windows and added an en suite, Ffion said.
Balancing Family Needs and Listed Features
The renovation shows how the owners adapted a historic home to contemporary use without treating its age as a reason to leave the layout or infrastructure unchanged. The Bakers’ account highlights practical work as well as decoration: the granite house needed attention to warmth and damp, while changes to the interior were shaped around family living.
Listed-building renovations can also involve requirements beyond those of a standard refurbishment. In this case, the discovery of bats in the roof affected how the project proceeded. Ffion said the couple followed conservation advice and created an alternative roosting space in the barns. The report does not give the specific approvals or technical measures, but the example illustrates how wildlife and heritage concerns can influence building work.
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From Equestrian Use to Family Home
When the Bakers viewed the property, it included land, stables and neglected outbuildings, and the house needed substantial work. Ffion described the project as a full-scale renovation carried out while the couple had young children. The home’s previous interior decoration was dated, but the couple saw potential in its character and historic fabric.
The renovation combined layout changes with restoration. The couple removed a wall between the kitchen and dining room, forming an open-plan family area. Ffion said an archway was retained to preserve original coving. Elsewhere, the staircase and an original archway were restored, and beams were brought back into use. The report credits Ideal Home contributors Colin Poole and Chris Poole with photographs of the property.
Work also extended beyond the main house. The barns were developed for holiday accommodation and provided the alternative bat roost described by Ffion. She said future plans include planting an orchard and keeping chickens, connecting the property’s next chapter with its farmhouse setting.
“A house like this one is such a rare find we knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
— Ffion Baker, speaking to Ideal Home
Project Costs and Permissions Unreported
The Ideal Home report does not state the renovation’s total cost, identify the contractors involved or set out which planning or listed-building approvals were required. It also does not specify the insulation materials, heating system type or technical details of the bat roost. Those details cannot be confirmed from the published account.
The report describes the barn conversion as part of the couple’s plans and says Ffion now uses one outbuilding for her business. It does not provide details about the holiday let’s availability, capacity or operating arrangements. The account is based largely on Ffion’s description of the project rather than an independent assessment of the building work.
Orchard and Chickens on the Agenda
Ffion told Ideal Home that the family hopes to plant an orchard and raise chickens, plans she described as a nod to the farmhouse’s heritage. The report does not give a timetable for either project. No further renovation milestones or announcements are specified, so the next steps described are the family’s plans for the grounds rather than confirmed construction work.
Key Questions
Where is the farmhouse?
It is in rural Cornwall, according to the Ideal Home report.
Who lives in the farmhouse?
Ffion and James Baker live there with their daughters and their cat, Poppy.
How long did the renovation take?
Ffion said the renovation took two years from start to finish.
What happened after bats were found in the roof?
Ffion said the couple followed conservation advice and built an alternative roosting space in the barns. The report does not provide further technical details.
What are the family’s plans for the property?
Ffion said the family plans to grow an orchard and raise chickens. The report gives no schedule for those plans.
Source: idealhome.co.uk
