A property dubbed the ‘best ever’ on Channel 4’s much-loved Grand Designs programme has been listed for sale for the very first time – commanding an asking price of £1.5 million. Green Dragon Barn, nestled in the rolling South Hams countryside of Devon, stands as a testament to architectural vision and patient craftsmanship, with owners Sue Charman and Martin Whitlock dedicating over two decades to its extraordinary transformation.
When Charman and Whitlock first appeared on television in 2001, the property comprised little more than three dilapidated barns, barely fit for habitation. Grand Designs host Kevin McCloud later called it “a home lovingly, painstakingly, time-consumingly transformed. Resplendent with 20 years of devoted care.” The house, which the show revisited 20 years later, was far removed from the ramshackle structures the couple took on; it had become a pioneering eco home and a truly unique dwelling.
Green Dragon Barn is now being marketed by estate agents Stags, who praise it as “an exceptional detached property created from three interconnected barns, quietly positioned in the idyllic landscape between Totnes, Dartmouth, and Kingsbridge.” The residence has already generated significant interest among prospective buyers – no doubt drawn in by its significant architectural legacy and sustainable ethos.
Impressively, the home’s striking blend of old and new is immediately evident, with robust cob and stone walls, a green oak frame soaring to the rafters, and a charming blend of slate and thatch roofing. Large, light-filled interiors reveal the home’s flexible layout, designed to cater to modern family life, multi-generational living, or those seeking creative spaces to work.
Central to the property is a show-stopping 30-foot reception space, framed by natural materials and connecting seamlessly to beautifully landscaped gardens that extend across 1.3 acres. The grounds themselves include a sloping paddock with an orchard, mature planting, a double garage, a detached workshop with solar panels, and a private hot tub retreat – all innovations making this home a true sanctuary.
Speaking to the media, Martin Whitlock reflected on their Grand Designs journey: “When the crew revisited in 2021, the house was just as we’d hoped – finished, peaceful, and drama-free. Of course, when we first started in 2000, it was full of challenges. We had to race against the clock and the incessant Devon weather, and that certainly made for good television!”
The couple’s deep roots in the region played a crucial part in their decision to settle in Devon. Martin, fondly recalling family holidays spent nearby as a child, believes it was “the location – near Totnes and close to the sea – that sealed it for us. The barns had been built together over three centuries and were in a dreadful state, but that gave us the opportunity to create something truly special.”
Originally, the property came with permissions to convert the site into two houses, but the couple, working with local architect Adrian Slocombe, instead embarked on a bold plan for a single, cohesive home. The sloping plot presented challenges, requiring careful decisions about excavation and elevating structures to achieve level living spaces, but the result is a series of characterful rooms, each with a unique aspect.
Environmental sustainability was always foremost in Sue Charman’s mind. The property stands as an early exemplar of eco-conscious design, incorporating traditional materials such as lime, cob, stone, and thatch, while also boasting eco features including high insulation, double glazing, reed bed filtration, a heat recovery system, and a wood pellet boiler. These measures ensure the home is both environmentally friendly and imbued with lasting quality.
No detail has been overlooked, from hand-carved dragon pillars representing the classical elements to a grand vaulted hall with motifs designed by local artisans. The spacious layout accommodates four principal bedrooms, two with en-suite facilities, as well as a remarkable vaulted room beneath the thatched roof, offering flexibility for families or multigenerational households.
With Green Dragon Barn now on the market, Martin and Sue are preparing for the next stage, leaving behind a home that offers endless possibilities for new owners to personalise. “We prioritised space and structure over decor, so there’s a real opportunity here for someone to add their own flair,” Martin notes. “I can’t imagine not taking on another project, but I’ll be sure to keep the next one a bit smaller!”