A TINY 17th century cottage in Cranage whose owner picked it up ‘along with her house’ is earning its keep in very modern ways.

When Lydia Causer, a former air stewardess, bought her family home in Cranage in 2017, the grounds included Hawthorn Cottage, a tiny, rundown, 350-year-old piece of Cheshire's architectural heritage. 

Being grade II-listed meant Lydia had to maintain it structurally, but when lockdown hit, restoring it fully became ‘the perfect lockdown project’, she said. 

Then after her mum started telling local walkers Hawthorn Cottage was available as a holiday let, a whole new chapter in its life history began, including being featured on the silver screen. 

Knutsford Guardian: Actor Patrick O'Donnell filming Gaius Brown's new short horror filmActor Patrick O'Donnell filming Gaius Brown's new short horror film (Image: Lydia Causer)

Lydia said: “When we finished the restoration it was the height of lockdown, and my mum was living on her own in a flat in Lymm. 

"We thought we may as well ask her to come and live in it until things returned to normal, just so she wasn’t on her own.

“But there’s a public footpath running up our driveway which was really busy then with people walking to and from Goostrey.

“As my mum talks to literally everyone, walkers kept asking her if we rented it out, which really wasn’t in our minds.

“But she decided to tell them we did, and that’s how it all started.

“We’ve had guests for all over the world coming to stay: French couples, Dutch couples, and lots of Americans.

“They say it reminds them of the cottage in The Holiday with Jude Law and Cameron Diaz.

Knutsford Guardian: The 17th century cottage is now popular with production companies as a filming locationThe 17th century cottage is now popular with production companies as a filming location (Image: Lydia Causer)

"It’s just so romantic. People see it online and want to experience how beautiful it is, and all its history."

Unsurprisingly, Hawthorn Cottage caught the interest of filmmakers this year. 

Knutsford Guardian: Film maker Gaius Brown (left) with actor Patrick O'Donnell with film crewFilm maker Gaius Brown (left) with actor Patrick O'Donnell with film crew (Image: Lydia Causer)

“We’ve had two production companies at the cottage,” said Lydia.  

“Gaius Brown is writer and director of the film A Caution for the Wise, a short independent horror film based on Nick Brown’s novel, Skendleby.

“It’s about an 18th century cleric who has his faith tested when he threatens to unearth an ancient evil within his newly appointed parish.

"The place was just perfect for it."