Iconic Grand Designs home in idyllic location goes on the market after major tragedy

A stunning five bedroom property which featured on Grand Designs and took two decades to renovate is on the market for £1.5million. Green Dragon Barn, which is in the picturesque South Hams area of Devon, was restored by Sue Charman and Martin Whitlock after they purchased it in 2000. The property consists of a series of three century old interconnected barns which were converted into a breath-taking five-bedroom home by the couple.

Kevin McCloud first visited the eco conscious renovation as part of the Channel 4 show in 2001 when they were just at the beginning of their renovation journey and the barns were barely habitable. Two decades later he returned to see the finished result and gushed: "This is a home lovingly, painstakingly, time-consumingly transformed. Resplendent with 20 years of devoted care." Sadly, Sue died just a couple of years later in 2023 and Martin has decided that the house now needs new owners to love and appreciate it like he and Sue did.

“The revisit in 2021 was a delight – we were completely ready and the house was looking at its best. A complete absence of drama! Of course things were very different back in 2000. We were racing against the clock and the weather, and the programme makers made the most of that,” Martin recalled.

“The barn was a complete wreck – actually 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 couple had to work the renovation around their busy lives meaning the project took dar longer than expected as they built as and when they could. "Although it took 20 years, it wasn’t 20 years of work on the house," Martin explained.

"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. A real adventure."

The property which features a large open-plan kitchen, a 30-foot reception room with oak flooring and a wood-burning stove, and a striking atrium and hall with grand pillars, is as eco-friendly as possible due to Sue's passion for environmental issues.

"Sue was passionate about environmental issues and we were determined to make the house as natural and sustainable as possible. It was a matter of principle but also very much in the spirit of the building. So the house is eco-conscious in its use of traditional, natural materials such as lime, stone, cob, slate and thatch, but is also highly insulated, has modern double glazing, a reed bed, a heat recovery system and a wood pellet boiler," Martin said.

Despite pouring their heart and soul into the renovation Martin says he won't be upset should new owners want to put their own stamp on the property. "We were much more interested in the shape and structure of the rooms than interior design as such, so there is a great opportunity for a new owner to create their own ‘look’ and maybe introduce more colour and style.

"I love the kitchen but it is very much ‘Martin-made’ as Kevin McCloud put it, so it is not modern at all. New owners might want to replace it, and I wouldn’t blame them!" he said.

The property is currently listed with Stags estate agents with a guide price of £1.5million.