TIMELINE:

1774: A primitive hut is situated on the site of the cottage, inhabited by a man called Light.

1791-1828: The cottage is built by the Reverend William Leeves for use as a holiday home for him and his family.

1828-1841: After the death of Reverend William Leeves, the cottage is inherited by his eldest son William who is believed to have sold it to an East India merchant called Josiah Clements.

1841: The cottage is inhabited by the Reverend Charles Taylor and his family.

1842: The property and its contents are auctioned.

1840s-1853s: The cottage is rented out as a holiday home, with one guest being the Austrian Ambassador.

1852: Local farmer and businessman, Joseph Glossop is thought to have bought and lived in the cottage.

1853: Disaster #1: A storm blows the cottage roof off.

1854: Disaster #2: A fire causes further damage and demolition of the cottage was considered.

1861-1865: Glossop continued to own the cottage but it is occupied by dairyman, James Barnes and his family who sold dairy products from the premises.

1865-1901: Thomas Reed takes over the dairy business and lives in the cottage with his family, naming it ‘The White Cross Dairy’.

1901-1920: Following the death of Joseph Glossop, the cottage is bought by another local dairyman Mark Minifie who continues to run it as ‘The White Cross Dairy’. From at least 1903, Minifie also runs the ‘Ye Auld Robin Gray Tea House’ from the premises.

1903: Disaster #3: A storm results in flooding and the neighbour’s chimney stack collapses through the roof of the cottage.

1910: Disaster #4: Another storm causes extensive flooding throughout the cottage.

1920-1943: Following Mark Minifie’s retirement, the cottage is sold to local businessman Reginald Puddy who runs the cottage as a ‘The Promenade Café’.

1928: Disaster #5: Another storm blows the thatched roof off.

1936: Disaster #6: Yet another storm and yet more flooding damages the cottage.

1943: Disaster #7: Another fire destroys the cottage roof.

1943-1960: ‘The Promenade Café’ is run by Dennis Hase who began to call the business a ‘restaurant’.

1952: Disaster #8: Another fire destroys the thatched roof.

1954: The cottage is renamed ‘The Old Thatched Cottage Café’.

1956: Disaster #9: Another blaze severely damages the roof.

1959: The lease to the cottage is bought by Axentis and Nitsa Michael who establish the restaurant as one of the most popular dining destinations in Weston-super-Mare.

1997: Disaster #10: Severe flooding from rising sea water causes damage to the cottage.

2003: Following the death of Axentis Michael, the restaurant is inherited by Axentis’s daughter Maria Michael, who continues to run the restaurant along with her family to this day.

2019: The restaurant reached the impressive milestone of being owned and run by the same family for 60 years. To celebrate this achievement, an extensive refurbishment of the cottage was completed, which included the opening of a private dining room for the first time in 30 years, as well as significant improvements to the sea-facing outside terrace area.

2023: The Old Thatched Cottage was recognised with an English Heritage Blue Plaque, a prestigious scheme that celebrates the links between notable figures of the past and the buildings in which they lived and worked.

The cottage’s history:

Leeves Cottage, situated in Weston-super-Mare, holds a rich history interwoven with the town's evolution.

Historical records reveal a complex narrative regarding the cottage's inception. Officially dated back to 1791 by Historic England, whispers of a preexisting primitive hut cloud the certainty. This uncertainty adds depth to the cottage's historical mystique.

Its origins trace back to Reverend William Leeves, whose connection with the influential Pigott family and John Pigott, the Lord of the Manor, played a pivotal role in its creation.

Leeves, a multifaceted individual involved in military service and Holy Orders, not only built and inhabited the cottage but also contributed to Weston's transformation into a thriving town, earning mentions in publications as the seaside rejuvenation gained popularity. The echoes of his musical prowess, connection to Scottish balladry, and controversies over song ownership reverberate through time. His friendship with Hannah More marked his engagement with cultural and societal currents of the age.

Over the years, Leeves Cottage saw various tenants and visitors, from the Taylor family with clerical ties to Count Possenti, a notable figure linked to Queen Victoria's court.

Traces of Leeves' presence persist in sketches, paintings and the cherished memory of a community he served devotedly. His passing in 1828 left an indelible mark on Wrington Church, where he rests beneath the altar, commemorated by a chancel window and a poignant memorial.

A sale in 1842 heralded a new era, while the passage of the Weston-super-Mare Improvement and Market Act cemented the cottage's distinctive character. Joseph Glossop's ownership in the 1850s marked a significant juncture in the cottage's narrative.

Leeves Cottage, like a treasured artifact of heritage, continues to whisper stories of its occupants, guardians and the winds of change that shaped its history. As the threads of time intertwine, the cottage stands as a living testament to the legacy of Reverend William Leeves and the vibrant history of Weston-super-Mare.

The cottage's resilience through time, and its evolution within Weston's growth, embodies the town's own journey.

In 2003, after the passing of Axentis Michael, ownership of the restaurant seamlessly transitioned to his daughter, Maria Michael. She has since carried forward the family tradition of managing the establishment, and it remains in the capable hands of the Michael family.

A remarkable milestone was achieved in 2019 when the restaurant marked 60 continuous years under the same family's ownership and operation. In commemoration of this significant achievement, a comprehensive renovation of the establishment was undertaken. Notably, this renovation included the re-establishment of a private dining room that had been closed for three decades, as well as substantial enhancements to the sea-facing outdoor terrace area.

In 2023, The Old Thatched Cottage was recognised with an English Heritage Blue Plaque, a prestigious scheme that celebrates the links between notable figures of the past and the buildings in which they lived and worked.