A Conversation Between Cornwall and the Cotswolds: Architecture and Identity.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Over the Easter break, I visited the Cotswolds — a region famous for its charming, honey-coloured stone villages and picture-perfect streetscapes. As an architect working in Cornwall, I couldn’t help but reflect on how powerfully architectural identity can shape a sense of place.
What struck me most wasn’t the differences between our two regions — though they are plentiful — but the similarities in values. Both Cornwall and the Cotswolds are committed to protecting the character and beauty of their landscapes. We are both defined, in part, by our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, by our Conservation Areas, our Listed Buildings, and a deep-rooted appreciation for the visual stories told through our built environment.
But while the Cotswolds presents a cohesive architectural identity, easily recognisable and widely admired, Cornwall’s is more varied, more complex — and increasingly at risk.
Shared Values, Distinct Identities
Cornwall National Landscape: Covers 27% of the county across 12 distinct areas.
Cotswolds AONB: The largest in England and Wales, spanning almost 800 square miles.
Both regions show a strong commitment to landscape protection and design integrity. Yet, while the Cotswolds has evolved with a consistent architectural language, Cornwall’s style is far more diverse — perhaps beautifully so, but also vulnerable to being lost beneath layers of modern convenience.
The Cotswolds: Honey-Coloured Harmony
There’s a quiet strength in the Cotswolds’ architecture. It is rooted in local oolitic limestone, with buildings that share similar proportions, detailing, and colour. The streetscapes are harmonious — not because of rigid uniformity, but because they share a material language and respect the landscape they inhabit.
Hallmarks include:
- Gabled, steeply pitched roofs
- Mullioned windows
- Ornate or arched doorways
- Prominent chimneys, often positioned close to the entrance
The result is unmistakable. These buildings seem to “belong” to their land — mellow and enduring.
Cornwall: Rugged, Varied, and Resilient
Cornwall tells a different story. Our geography is harsher, our history shaped by tin mines and fishing fleets, and our palette dictated by the geology beneath our feet.
Traditional Cornish architecture includes:
- Granite: A hardy, weather-resistant stone, used extensively in construction. Its colour varies from light grey to pink.
- Slate roofs: Durable and able to withstand the harsh coastal conditions.
- Cob: A mixture of clay, sand, straw, and water, historically used for walls, offering excellent insulation.
Our vernacular buildings were built from what was available, designed to meet practical needs — from tower houses to miner’s cottages, hall houses to fortified farmsteads. Unlike the Cotswolds, which developed a visual consistency over centuries, Cornwall’s built fabric is a patchwork of local adaptation and ingenuity.
And that’s what makes it beautiful.
A Conversation Over Tea
Since returning from the Cotswolds, I’ve been asking myself:
- Why is it that Cornwall, with all its richness of character, doesn’t always reflect that in its new architecture?
- Are we too quick to render over stone, to simplify form, to replicate trends rather than express place?
- Is our architecture at risk of becoming indistinct, part of a wider homogenisation that’s happening across the country?
I’ve seen villages where granite cottages once held the story of the land — now replaced or overshadowed by rendered homes that could exist anywhere in Britain. There’s something deeply troubling in that.
In Cornwall, every area has its own stone, its own proportions, its own response to the land — and that diversity should be celebrated. It’s not a weakness. It’s our strength.
But without careful design and thoughtful planning, that individuality can easily dissolve into anonymity.
The Render Question: Tradition vs. Trend
Modern render, especially white or grey, has become increasingly prevalent. And while rendering isn’t inherently bad — it’s often used to weatherproof older cob buildings — its current use seems more about speed and uniformity than regional expression.
Traditional Cornish homes were proud of their materials. Stone wasn’t something to be hidden. Even whitewashed finishes had purpose, tied to maritime culture and the salt-worn textures of the coast. But when render is used indiscriminately, we lose not just the materiality — we lose the message of the building.
The Architect’s Responsibility
At Rowett Architecture, we believe that Cornwall’s architecture should speak of its landscape, geology, and story. It should be diverse, but it should never be generic.
Our approach is simple:
- Honour the past by understanding local materials and vernacular forms.
- Design for longevity — homes that age beautifully and withstand our unique climate.
- Respect the land by integrating with, not overpowering, the surrounding landscape.
- Innovate responsibly, balancing individuality with a deep-rooted sense of belonging.
Cornwall doesn’t need to look like the Cotswolds — but we can take pride in defining our own design identity. We’re not looking to copy the past — we’re here to carry it forward, evolve it meaningfully, and adapt it with care.
Looking Forward
Cornwall has never been about architectural uniformity. It’s been about responding — to the cliffs, the winds, the mines, the fields, and the people. That’s what makes it so compelling, and that’s what we risk losing if we follow convenience over context.
We don’t need to look like the Cotswolds.
We need to look like us.
Rowett Architecture is committed to designing places that feel deeply rooted in Cornwall. We believe in a future that’s proud of its past, that values difference, and that honours the unique spirit of our wild and wonderful county — not by imitating others, but by listening to the land beneath our feet.
Rowett Architecture
Rooted in Cornwall. Inspired by place.
Leave a Reply