Blake Cottage Thatch Restoration Completed

MICA Architects and the Blake Cottage Trust are celebrating the completion of the historic thatched roof at William Blake’s Cottage in Felpham, marking a major milestone in a £3 million project to restore the building, its gardens, and create an education centre.

Earlier this year, the Trust received National Lottery funding to address urgent structural issues affecting the walls, chimneys, roof, and timber, ensuring the long-term preservation of this rare 17th- and 18th-century building. The thatch renewal, completed in December 2025, safeguards the cottage while revealing its character and historical significance for future generations.

Blake Cottage, where the poet and artist William Blake lived and worked between 1800 and 1803, is a modest but evocative heritage site. The restoration has included careful conservation of original fabric, addressing structural defects, and opening up a working print studio, allowing visitors to experience the space much as Blake did.

Iron Maiden star Bruce Dickinson, toured the cottage on Saturday and described the unveiling of the new roof as "simply beautiful," calling the building "astonishing."

"It's the wow factor," he said. "Blake lived here, it was where he worked and slept, it's incredible. It's a privilege to walk in and see it."

The restoration project, led by MICA Architects as architect and conservation architect, balances careful preservation with public accessibility. The Trust aims to create an inspiring and inclusive destination, helping visitors appreciate Blake’s life, work, and legacy within an authentically restored historic setting.

The completion of the thatch marks a major step toward safeguarding Blake Cottage for generations to come, reinforcing its status as a rare and significant heritage site on the Sussex coast.

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Follow these links to read more about MICA's work on Blake cottage and it's conservation