This creative couple first spotted the Pump House whilst trawling the internet looking for inspiration for an unusual building project. They were both keen to find a ruin or land that they could use as a foundation on which to create something unique, marrying their creative passions.
A dream for many years, they were propelled by the situation with Covid and the lockdowns to pick up the paintbrush a few years earlier than perhaps they had envisaged, and start on a new life canvas…
“COVID made us re-think the way we had set our lives up. It catalysed us into doing something about a dream we had been talking about for years”, explains Nic with a smile.
There was something about the Grade II* listed Pump House, which although not quite hitting their brief of a ruin, did still require some refurbishment and offered plenty of scope for them to overlay their own signature style. A quick visit to the property and it was most certainly love at first sight. The quirky building, which combines two buildings – known as Kate and Ada - and its quiet countryside setting with abundant wildlife instantly appealed.
After a loving one-year restoration project the Pump House has been transformed into not only a home for the couple but it has seen the launch of its art studio, and one part of the building is now a holiday cottage, which they hope will prove popular not just with artists but also those who are looking for a peaceful retreat in an unusual and quirky property.
For Nic and Claire, the move to Misterton has presented a seismic change in their lifestyle, with them both leaving pressurised jobs behind from their base in Aldgate, London to focus their time and creativity into nurturing this extraordinary property. With Claire still splitting her time between the countryside and London whilst they make the transition, and Nic based in Misterton full-time, they are both keen to welcome people to their new home and studio and to join them in their creative journey.
For Nic, it has presented a new challenge, having switched from a Creative Director. He has enjoyed over 35 years of furniture design - originally studying under the renowned furniture maker John Makepeace – taking a move in more recent years into commercial interior design.
His work in furniture design having previously earned him considerable reputation, and the move to Misterton, has taken him full circle from the world of commercial interiors, giving him the opportunity to get back to what he loves; working with wood. It comes as little surprise that the property now features many intricate pieces of woodwork, he has crafted himself.
“The Pump House has given me a chance to revisit my craft skills” he explains. “I've even sharpened my tools and made some furniture!”
Meanwhile, Claire has been using her expertise as a Design Director to transform the extensive interior of the building into an arresting space that maximises the use of light and space, and beautifully balances the features of the building with the colours, textures and styles of the art work on display. The result is serene yet stimulating.
“We wanted it to reflect our personalities as well as being an unusual and inspiring place for people to experience”, Claire enthuses.
With the refurbishment work finished Nic and Claire do still have further restoration plans for the building but for now their attention is turning to opening up the art studio for people to enjoy and to promoting their new creative workshops, which for Claire will involve her love of lino cutting and for Nic, his many years of experience in life drawing.
They are also planning to open the space for collaborative exhibitions with other artists and to host events. Nic is keen to get back into his workshop and work on his signature bespoke wood furniture whilst Claire hopes to eventually make the move indefinitely to the Pump House and leave city life behind.
“I have always loved life drawing and working with just charcoal and paper.” Nic smiles. “I love the directness of using a medium that has remained the same for centuries. Working with charcoal presents a challenge artists have faced through the ages.” Nic hopes to spend more time now pursuing this passion but also hopes that others will fall in love with his art and want to learn with him.
Claire, hopes to also pursue her many varied creative interests, including sewing, collage work, life drawing and of course her lino cutting.
“Hopefully I will find the time to dedicate to each of these, “Claire laughs, “But for now I would love to showcase lino cutting and inspire groups of people through beginners workshops to come and have a go.
“This is such a great space for creative endeavours, and we hope that people will feel both relaxed and creatively inspired whilst they are here with us.”
The art studio not only presents a wonderful and unusual artistic space but is also fully equipped as a two-bedroom holiday home offering a quirky creative environment and peaceful countryside retreat in a heritage property. Despite its seamlessly understated contemporary interior there is still a proud nod to its remarkable history evident in the many original features that have been fondly restored or emphasised throughout.
Nic and Claire have discovered true love in their artistic calling here, but it is Kate and Ada who really are loving their new lease of life…
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Kate & Ada –
the Misterton Pumphouses
Interestingly, there are in fact two pump houses that are adjoining properties. This in itself is rather unusual and only adds to the interest the property receives. Kate and Ada, as the two pump houses are referred, are a beautiful sight to behold.
Both the north and the south pump houses are Grade II* listed buildings, and the south building carries an inscribed stone, stating “These works erected 1828, Frances Raynes, George Kelk, William Gauntley (Commissioners), Alfred smith, Engineer.”
The first pump house is called Kate after the engine it housed, and it was built in 1828. The engine was a 4 horsepower (30kW) beam engine to drive a 34-foot (10m) scoop wheel. The wheel was replaced by a centrifugal pump in 1890, and the beam engine was replaced by a 135-horsepower (1011kW) twin cylinder steam engine in 1895.
However, the single engine could not cope with the quantity of water so it was decided that a second pump house would be built at the site. Named Ada, it was built in 1839 with another 34-foot (10m) scoop wheel powered by a beam engine supplied by Booth & Co; who were based at Park Ironworks in Sheffield.
The mother drain, between the two pump houses was actually constructed between 1796 and 1801 by the Engineer Thomas Dyson. Its purpose was to collect water from the low-lying water to the south of the river. The mother drain was pumped into the Idle river by two steam engines; the first example of steam engines being used for land drainage outside of the Fens.
Sadly, both Kate and Ada became redundant in 1941 when the drainage system was re-organised to feed excess water to a new pumping station at Gringley. They remained derelict for quite some time before they were purchased and converted into a residential property.
Today, the mother drain is regarded as an SSSI (site of special Scientific Interest). This is due to the site supporting an exceptionally rich invertebrate fauna, which includes notable assemblages of dragonflies and water beetles, and a rare moth. The marsh carpet moth Perizoma Sagittata occurs on the drain sides. This rare species is restricted to a small number of fenland sites in the English Midlands and the mother drain is the only known breeding locality in Nottinghamshire.
