A forgotten 19th-century gasworks in England's picturesque Cotswolds has been transformed into a stunning $2.5 million countryside retreat, marking one of the region's most remarkable architectural renovations. Located in the village of Upper Slaughter, known as one of Britain's "Doubly Thankful Villages," the abandoned industrial building has been converted into a unique luxury home that seamlessly blends historical preservation with cutting-edge modern design.
The original gasworks was constructed in 1877 to provide lighting for the nearby Brassey Estate, but had been left to decay for decades before acclaimed novelist Jeanette Winterson recognized its potential. Winterson, best known for her groundbreaking debut novel "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit," which earned her the 1985 Whitbread Prize for Best First Novel and a BAFTA Award when she adapted it for television five years later, purchased the derelict property in 2011 with plans to create a peaceful writing retreat.
The author, whose literary works have long explored themes of transformation, brought that same vision to the physical restoration project. She obtained permission to convert the 19th-century acetylene plant and collaborated with renowned architect Chris Dyson, who is celebrated for his thoughtful approach to integrating contemporary design elements into historic structures. Together, they developed an ambitious renovation plan that would preserve the building's weathered Cotswold stone exterior while adding a striking modern extension made of CorTen steel and glass.
Although Winterson sold the property before the renovation work was completed, her original vision was faithfully executed by subsequent owners working with Dyson's architectural firm. The design team added a distinctive circular steel tower that draws inspiration from the site's original underground gas storage pit, creating a powerful visual connection between the building's industrial past and its residential future.
The completed home, now known simply as "The Gasworks," has received widespread critical acclaim for its bold architectural achievement. The property won the prestigious Sunday Times Home Award and was shortlisted for several other major architecture honors, including the RIBA, WAN, and Blueprint awards, recognizing its successful balance between industrial heritage and intimate living spaces.
Currently listed for sale through Savills real estate agency for £1.85 million (approximately $2.5 million), the property offers more than 3,000 square feet of exceptional living space across multiple distinct areas. The original cottage portion of the home features a modern kitchen equipped with custom-designed cabinetry, a comfortable sitting room centered around a wood-burning fireplace with an antique carved stone surround, a dining room that doubles as a library, and a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom.
A striking glass corridor serves as the connection point between the historic cottage and the contemporary wing of the home. The modern section houses three additional bedrooms, each with private bathrooms to accommodate family members and guests, plus a principal suite that offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The renovation also includes a dedicated writing room equipped with a log-burning stove, paying homage to the property's literary origins, while the tower is crowned with an impressive skylight that floods the space with natural light.
"This represents a fabulous marriage of industrial heritage and domestic comfort, all set within an absolutely idyllic landscape," explains Lay McCluskey, the Savills agent handling the property sale. The home's setting takes full advantage of the Cotswolds' renowned natural beauty, with rolling hills painted in soft greens and golden hues stretching beyond the property boundaries, horses grazing peacefully in nearby pastures, and deer visible in the distance.
Despite its impressive architectural credentials and award-winning design, The Gasworks maintains an intimate, personal character that reflects its origins as a writer's retreat. The property stands as a testament to the transformative vision of Jeanette Winterson, who believed that even the most forgotten and neglected places could be reimagined and brought back to luminous life, creating spaces where creativity and comfort coexist in perfect harmony.
