History of Trenance Cottages
Trenance Cottages, Newquay are a modest group of late 18th/early 19th century Grade II Listed buildings, which lie within a large established municipal park, both owned by the Borough Council. The aesthetic quality of the cottages set within a picturesque valley and gardens creates some stunning views and their widely recognised 'Wow' factor. Wedding groups can often be seen using the location for their official photographs, and the paths past the buildings are walked by countless hundreds of people, locals and visitors alike, each week.
The cottages are of great local architectural, historical, landscape and social significance. They constitute one of only 6 listings covering pre-railway domestic properties within the town, and form a remarkably intact group which have been largely unaltered in the 20th century.
Trenance Cottages are an iconic symbol of the town's pre-resort history and are locally revered by a community wanting to promote and engage with their heritage. They are a key component in the picturesque setting of the gardens adding to stunning views across the valley.
The Cornwall & Scilly Urban Survey (CSUS) for Newquay by Cornwall Archaeology Unit, April 2003 states that 'the cottages are prime structures for conservation and reuse, they have the potential to add further vitality and interest to the park'. The report promotes the conservation repair and re-use of the cottages, and this report was formally endorsed by RBC.
Trenance Cottages are significant survivals of vernacular architecture which predate both the railway and the creation of the early 20th century park and they sit within the stunning landscape of the Tolcarne Valley. They have evolved considerably over time but are largely unaltered in the 20th century and contain a significant amount of historic fabric and important features.
Their occupation as cottages (mid 19th to mid 20th century) outstretched their use as a malthouse (late 18th to mid 19th century) and because of this change in use the buildings evolved to accommodate their cottage use. They have not been adapted drastically to late 20th century living and as you walk inside it is easy to visualise how the 19th century inhabitants lived.
The architectural significance of the asset as a former malthouse is in their siting, the original stone rubble walls and roof construction, planform, the evidence of how openings have changed and the potential for buried archaeology which could reveal evidence of e.g. malthouse floors.
On closer inspection one can see the evolution of the buildings and there is evidence e.g. in the unusual irregular planforms and internal wall construction of their origins as a completely different use. Because they are adapted and not purpose built cottages they are unusual and probably more significant in this respect.