Blake Cottage News
Blake Cottage News
Embedded Files
PLEASE GIVE TO HELP SAVE THE COTTAGE
Doug Nicholls on the new roof.mp4The new thatched roof
The new thatched roof
Our master crafts people have been busy all through the spring and summer to remove rotten thatch, replace broken rafters and repair crumbling masonry. Now, as of early September, new thatch has been applied to complete a glorious new roof, which Doug Nicholls describes in this video.
Our thanks to all who worked on this phase of the Blake Cottage restoration and to all those who helped fund it. We've taken a vital first step in our project to save the cottage and create a centre celebrating William and Catherine Blake. There is much more to do and we have the momentum and energy to get the job done, but we still need the funds. Every donation gets us closer to our goal.
The new Blake Cottage roof, September 2025.mp4See the thatchers at work in this video.
Video credit: The Martin Sewell Building Company and Bulldog Digital Media.
William Blake’s cottage is coming back to life
William Blake’s cottage is coming back to life
Help us finish the job
Help us finish the job
The roof has been saved - much more needs to be done
The roof has been saved - much more needs to be done
In early 2024 Blake's Cottage, in the village of Felpham on the West Sussex coast, was in danger of being lost forever - the roof was on the point of collapse and the fabric was crumbling. A new board of trustees was formed and has been working hard to save the cottage. As of autumn 2025 the roof has been saved and we're about to restore the rest of the cottage.
It is one of the most important buildings in English literary history. The poet, writer, artist, printer and visionary William Blake lived here, with his wife Catherine, when he wrote the poem that provides the words for the much-loved anthem: Jerusalem.
The Blake Cottage Trust will save this precious building and create a centre celebrating William & Catherine Blake - we need your support
The Blake Cottage Trust will save this precious building and create a centre celebrating William & Catherine Blake - we need your support
Our plan has three stages:
FIRST replace the dilapidated thatched roof and secure the fabric of the building. We're on target!
SECOND restore the cottage and garden to what it would have been like in Blake's time and open it to the public in some form in time for William Blake's bi-centenary in 2027.
THIRD create an arts and educational centre in a new building within the grounds. It will be the only centre dedicated to the Blakes' lives, work and legacy.
The trust has already secured valuable grants and donations to pay for a new roof and continues to work hard to secure the funding to create an internationally important cultural centre to celebrate the lives and works of William and Catherine and their enduring influence. Donations from individuals, no matter how small, have been vital in getting to the point we are now, and they will be equally important in the future. Help us achieve our goal.
Securing the cottage for the nation and for future generations
Securing the cottage for the nation and for future generations
All donations will be put to immediate use to continue the restoration of Blake's Cottage and to realise our long-term vision. You can give by clicking on the button below or contact the Trust directly.
Thank you!
You can help save William Blake’s Cottage
You can help save William Blake’s Cottage
Page updated
Report abuse