Explore 62+ Alluring Traditional English House Design Top Choices Of Architects

Traditional English cottage house designs have a unique charm and history like no other in the world since they have been around for centuries and were often of limited size or a simply cozy cottage-like construction.

Traditionally, cottage house designs symbolize a rural life — often situated in rural villages or British countrysides where families would go to for summer seasons. The homes are usually low-rise, often with a single-story section referred to as a cottage and a slightly larger two-storey section. They can be made of brick, stone, or wood.

The roof of traditional English cottage house designs typically features a thatched roof that oh-so-nicely complements its rustic charm. And, even though modern cottages no longer feature thatched roofs, they still look like they have come right out of a fairytale.

Today, classic English cottage house designs continue to be a favorite feature — especially in suburban areas — with many opting for a slightly smaller 'country' structure with a modern twist.

Traditional English manor house designs are a defining feature of English houses and have been around for centuries. Egerton Leigh Country House is one of the best examples of a traditional English manor house design.

The Egerton Leigh Country House was built in 1790 and has stood the test of time as one of the most beautiful manor houses in Britain. The House is designed in a classical style, featuring a grand central block and two wings. The house is set on an entirely level site surrounded by elegant gardens and outbuildings.

The Egerton Leigh Country House is characterized by symmetrical design, with a grand entrance hall opening into two wings and elegant parlors with large bay windows, creating an atmosphere of grandeur and elegance. The house is set on a tree-lined road, surrounded by farmland and countryside.

Traditional English manor house designs have a distinct style — adopting both classical and traditional approaches. These designs are often characterized by grand and noble-looking features, such as large windows, impressive entrances, grand staircases, and elegant proportions.

Traditional English Tudor house designs are often described as half-timbered or black-and-white buildings due to their exposed frame style. This is due to the use of oak timber framing that is filled with whitewashed wattle and daub, bricks and other materials.

Tudor era houses were generally small and a ‘Tudor style’ mortise and tenon frame has become recognizable as the standard for the traditional English style. Some of the most common features of traditional English Tudor houses include steep roofs and tall gabled facades with large chimney stacks, high ceilings and dark oak wood finishes.

These houses also often feature ‘features’, such as ornate wooden brackets and trims, decorative finials, ornamental bay windows, and quatrefoil windows. Traditional English Tudor houses often have a dark color palette with plenty of neutrals and earthy tones, offset by bright colors like bright red for doors and window frames.

Traditional English Tudor house designs have stood the test of time and still remain popular choices to this day.

Country English house designs are traditionally based off of an old English country house style but tend to be more adapted for modern living. The most popular genre in country English home designs is the cottage look, with a combination of old-world charm and a touch of modern style.

Country English house designs generally employ classic elements such as natural stone, timber or brick, but often with subtle variations. A popular feature is the symmetrical façade, which employs a traditional square or rectangular shape. The roofs of Country English houses are typically made with slate and smooth, undulating lines are common in the gables.

Inside of a Country English house, you'll often find cozy features such as exposed wooden beams, fireplaces crafted using local stone, and large wooden doors with antique-style handles. Open-plan living areas accented by large windows, a modern kitchen contrasted with classic furniture, and slate-tiled or parquet floors are some of the most popular Country English design features.

Georgian style house designs are a prominent part of the English landscape and are often the house of choice for many. Georgian style house designs are so-called because they are named after the four Kings who presided over England and Wales in the 18th century: George I, George II, George III, and George IV.

These houses reflect the 18th century style with a symmetrical façade, typically with five or seven windows standing in a row across the front of the house. Common features of Georgian style house designs include grey slate roofs, traditional brick walls, large windows and a wide entrance porch. Interiors often feature cornices and elegant ceiling roses — and occasionally fireplaces — crafted from stone.

Modern Georgian style house designs often take cues from the original look and feel of the 18th century, such as arches around the windows, horns at the top of the gables, or an ornamental balustrade along the front of the house.

Queen Anne style house designs first emerged in the 18th century and is a popular choice for many. This style of house features an asymmetrical façade and is often constructed with brick. Queen Anne style house designs usually have steeply pitched roofs and typically feature a variety of windows in different shapes and sizes.

The interior of these houses usually feature a traditional dining room with a large table surrounded by an ornately carved stone mantel and a classically-styled staircase with polished wood banister railings. A stone fireplace is typically the focal point of the living room, which is often large and spacious with plenty of space for luxurious furnishings. Traditional features usually include wide oak floorboards, ornate doorways, and sash windows.

Queen Anne style house designs often combine classical elements of 18th century grandeur with elements of modern and contemporary design.

Victorian style house designs are some of the most recognizable house designs in England. The style was popular during the 19th century and is characterized by high pitched gables, towers, turrets, ornamental windows, and elaborate brickwork.

Victorian style house designs often feature a central entrance hall, with two or three large rooms at the front of the house. This is usually flanked by an imposing front staircase with a painted or stone balustrade. The main reception room usually boasts a raised ceiling with ornate plasterwork and a large fireplace, while the other rooms are also typically decorated with patterned wallpapers and brightly-colored cornicing, skirting boards, and ceiling roses.

Victorian style house designs also feature tall windows—usually adorned with fancy wooden shutters. Inside, the secret to the style’s success was its blend of historical aesthetics and traditional furnishings, often combined with modern innovations such as plumbing, heating, and electric lighting.

Bungalow house designs are a popular type of house design in the UK, especially in England's south. Bungalows feature a low ridge pitched roof, often with two rooms below thatched at a single level, typically with a large porch or veranda facing the street.

Bungalow house designs are characterized by their flexible or adaptable nature, with rooms often designated as bedrooms, living areas or apartments being easily created, altered or repurposed to suit the home-owner's needs. Many bungalows were originally built as temporary dwellings for holidaymakers and owners of country estates. Bungalows often boast ornaments such as domed columns, arches, balaclavas, and porticos.

Bungalow house designs are usually single-story in nature and often feature substantial porches, as well as large windows that form a link between the indoors and outdoors. The bungalow often contains several structural features such as verandas and terraces which provide additional living spaces for entertaining, relaxation and absorbing the peaceful seclusion of the countryside.

Arts and Crafts house designs are usually characterized by their rustic and natural feel. The style is often associated with the British Arts and Crafts movement, which began at the end of the 19th century and introduced simple and natural materials and craftsmanship into house designs.

Arts and Crafts house designs feature large open spaces with lots of natural light. They usually also incorporate exposed brickwork, timber framing, leaded glass windows, and terracotta tiling.

The Arts and Crafts houses also include an eclectic mix of traditional features including large fireplaces, period lighting fixtures, deep bay windows, and substantial built-in-furniture. They typically have functional but stylish layouts, with a modern-day emphasis on multipurpose spaces, such as home offices or gym rooms.

Arts and Crafts house designs cut through the more traditional house designs, allowing homeowners to focus on comfort and modern living. This makes Arts and Crafts house designs the perfect choice for homebuyers who seek a balance of old and new.

Edwardian house designs were popular in England in the early 20th century and often look similar to their Victorian predecessors. Edwardian house designs tend to have a symmetrical façade of two or three storeys and typically have a boxed shape with a sloping roof.

Edwardian house designs feature traditional elements such as large window bays, projecting eaves, and steep gables. Exteriors are usually built with brick and often have half-timbered stucco finishes. The interiors are similarly traditional with many details of Edwardian influence — such as dado rails or panelling, moulded cornices, elegant balustrades, and deep skirting boards.

Modern Edwardian house designs often combine features of the original Edwardian look with modern amenities and building technologies — such as energy efficient windows, contemporary fixtures, and modern heating systems.

Regency house designs were popular in the late 18th to 19th century and have since become an iconic part of English architecture. This style of house features a classic exterior, often with a grand entrance and symmetrical façade. Typically, they consist of two or three storeys with red brick walls, tall windows and steeply pitched roofs.

Regency house designs usually feature balconies, elaborate cornices or pediments, and intricate dentil or Greek decorations. Internally, these houses frequently consist of high ceilings and large living areas designed for entertaining. The doorways are typically long, sweeping with classical architraves, and often feature lots of complicated designs and grand stairways.

Modern Regency house designs often combine elements of the original look and feel of the 19th century, such as tall windows, curved doorways, and subtle classical features with a contemporary twist. Georgian and Regency house designs remain popular choices for many, embodying timeless elegance and traditional charm.