A four-bedroom country house in North Yorkshire, built using straw bales and lime plaster, has come onto the property market with a guide price of £2.75 million. Known as The Lime House, the property in Whenby was built by Jonathan and Sara Banister and completed in 2018, replacing a 1960s bungalow on the site. Inspired by a conversation with Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud about sustainable construction, the couple pursued an unconventional building approach while retaining the appearance of a traditional English farmhouse. The 4,338-square-foot home combines natural building materials with modern features such as solar panels, triple glazing, underfloor heating and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. Set within approximately 4.5 acres, the property also includes landscaped gardens, a natural pond and additional outbuildings.
How straw bales and lime plaster shaped the house
The Lime House was designed as a self-build project, with architectural support from Native Architects. The couple replaced the existing bungalow with a home that used straw bales as an insulating material and lime-based finishes for the walls.Straw-bale construction involves using compacted straw within a building’s wall system. When properly designed and protected from persistent moisture, the material can provide effective insulation. Lime plaster and render offer a breathable finish that allows moisture vapour to move through the wall assembly.The project also involved specialist straw-bale building courses run by Straw Works, helping the owners develop the skills and confidence required for the construction process. The house was completed in 2018 after nearly two years of work.Despite the use of unconventional materials, the finished property has the appearance of an established country home, with traditional masonry details and carefully chosen natural finishes.
Energy-conscious features inside the £2.75 million property
The house incorporates several technologies intended to improve energy efficiency and indoor comfort. These include solar panels, triple-glazed windows, underfloor heating and a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery.The ventilation system exchanges stale indoor air for fresh air while recovering heat from the outgoing air, helping reduce heat loss. Triple glazing limits heat transfer through windows, while underfloor heating distributes warmth across the living spaces.The property also features rainwater harvesting and passive infrared lighting. Together with the insulated walls, these elements form part of the house’s energy-conscious design.However, the presence of these systems does not, by itself, establish the home’s annual energy consumption or running costs. Those figures would depend on factors such as household use, weather conditions and system performance.
Four bedrooms, four bathrooms and spacious living areas
The Lime House measures approximately 4,338 square feet, or 403 square metres, and is arranged over two-and-a-half floors, including a mezzanine. Its four double bedrooms each have an en-suite bathroom.The interior includes two reception rooms and a large open-plan kitchen, dining and living area. A stone staircase, substantial fireplace, wooden panelling, handmade bricks and stonework contribute to the traditional country-house character.The design combines open communal spaces with separate rooms, allowing the property to accommodate family life and entertaining. The use of natural finishes carries through much of the interior, complementing the materials used in the building’s construction.
Gardens, a natural pond and additional buildings
The property occupies approximately 4.5 acres and includes landscaped gardens and outdoor entertaining areas. A rain-fed natural pond forms part of the grounds and is intended to support local wildlife.Additional buildings include a barn and a studio or workshop, providing space for hobbies, creative work or other uses. Their precise permitted uses would depend on the property’s planning and building regulations.The setting offers views of the surrounding North Yorkshire countryside, combining the privacy of a rural property with the facilities of a substantial modern home.
Kevin McCloud’s influence on the project
McCloud, the presenter of the television series Grand Designs, is known for featuring self-build projects and exploring alternative approaches to architecture and design. According to Country Life, a conversation with him about sustainable construction helped inspire the Banisters to consider materials such as straw bales and lime plaster.McCloud’s role was inspirational rather than that of the house’s architect. Native Architects provided professional architectural support for the project, helping the couple navigate the design and construction process.The result demonstrates how natural building materials can be incorporated into a contemporary home without abandoning the traditional appearance associated with English country houses.
An unconventional home on the property market
The Lime House is being marketed by Savills with a guide price of £2.75 million. Its appeal rests on a combination of rural land, generous living space, traditional styling and an approach to construction that differs from that of many conventional houses.The property has also featured in the revised edition of The Buildings of England: Yorkshire, part of the architectural guide series founded by Nikolaus Pevsner.Completed in 2018, the house brings together straw-bale insulation, lime finishes and modern energy-conscious systems in a design intended to balance comfort, character and environmental considerations. Its current listing places that approach within the luxury country-house market.
