5 days ago
Grand Designs project hailed the 'best ever' after three barns were transformed is on the market for £1.5million
A stunning Grand Designs project hailed 'the best ever' has gone on the market for the first time for £1.5million.
It took more than two decades for owners Sue Charman and Martin Whitlock to lovingly restore Green Dragon Barn, nestled in the picturesque South Hams area of Devon.
The couple first appeared on Grand Designs back in 2001 with the three connecting barns, which were three centuries old and had been left almost uninhabitable.
The popular show revisited it 20 years later and discovered it had been turned into a breathtaking five-bedroom home that has been labelled a 'pioneering eco-project'.
It has now been listed for sale for £1.5million by Stags and has already attracted strong interest from potential buyers eager to snap up the lavish country retreat.
When Grand Designs went back to the stunning country pile, midway between Totnes, Dartmouth and Kingsbridge, host Kevin McCloud said: 'This is a home lovingly, painstakingly, time-consumingly transformed.
'Resplendent with 20 years of devoted care.'
On its listing, Stags described it as 'the perfect home'.
It added: 'Green Dragon Barn is an exceptional detached property created from three linked barns, quietly positioned in the rolling countryside between Totnes, Dartmouth, and Kingsbridge.
'Lovingly crafted over 20 years by its visionary owners, the house blends eco-conscious design with striking architectural detail, including a soaring green oak frame, cob and stone walls, and a distinctive combination of slate and thatch roofing.
'The accommodation is both generous and highly flexible, with light-filled interiors designed to adapt to modern family life, multi-generational living, or creative workspaces.
'At the heart of the home is a spectacular 30-foot reception space, framed by natural materials and open to the gardens and views.
'Set in approximately 1.3 acres, the property includes mature landscaped gardens, a sloping paddock with an orchard, a double garage, detached stone workshop with solar panels, and a private hot tub areaideal for entertaining or simply enjoying the peace and seclusion.
'This is a rare opportunity to own a home of genuine architectural significance and enduring quality.'
Martin and Sue moved to Devon in 2000 and described the barn as a 'complete wreck' when they bought it.
He added: 'It was three barns built together over three centuries, and a bigger project than we were planning, but it allowed us to really go to town and create some stunning rooms.'
The site already had permission for conversion to two houses but the couple created a new scheme to make it into one.
And despite taking 20 years to complete, there was never any thought of giving up, Martin said.
He added: 'Although it took 20 years, it wasn't 20 years of work on the house.
'We moved into two rooms in 2001 and gradually expanded out from there as we found time to do the work in our busy lives.
'So every so often there would be new rooms or features to enjoy. It was a real adventure.'
