Self-build graven hill icon

Grand Designs: The Streets

The first 10 self-builders at Graven Hill were followed by Channel 4 as part of a special Grand Designs series.

  1. Home
  2. Grand Designs: The Streets

About Grand Designs: The Streets

Graven Hill welcomes back presenter Kevin McCloud for the third Grand Designs series following the residents of our first-of-its-kind site through the highs and lows of building their own homes.

While the first series tracked our first 10 pioneer self-builders who broke ground at Graven Hill, the second and third series captures the spirit of community characterised by impressive self-build streets.

Showcasing how Graven Hill continues to attract self-builders from all walks of life and how far the development has come since the first series.

Catch up on the programme here

Graven Hill welcomes back presenter Kevin McCloud for the third Grand Designs series

Kevin McCloud from Grand Designs The Street on Channel 4

About Grand Designs: The Street

Grand Designs: The Street focuses on Graven Hill and followed the first 10 ground-breaking pioneers as they built their very individual homes to form a street, and ultimately a community, like no other in Britain.

The series explored how self-build can be for everyone – whether you are retiring, a first-time buyer, upsizing or downsizing.  Kevin McCloud, the series presenter, celebrates the creativity and design freedom the self-builders have, the forward-thinking planning process available and explores the challenges and community spirit when self-building.

Grand Designs: The Street also showed viewers the options they have when it comes to self-build, and that the process is far more accessible than they may think. The diverse range of homes on the street inspired others to consider building their own grand design or custom home at Graven Hill.

The series was first broadcast on Thursday 4 April 2019 on Channel 4.

Catch up on the programme here

Graven Hill is the UK’s largest self-build and custom build community.  

The first-of-its-kind site is based in Bicester and will house up to 1,900 beautiful and unique homes which are due to be built over the next 10 years.

The development is set to revolutionise the way in which properties are designed and built by offering a flexible alternative to the usual routes.

The plots will be surrounded by open, green spaces including woodland, allotments and a network of cycle and footpaths connecting to the town centre and local transport links, including one-hour train services to London.

The village will also have a primary school and retail space. Graven Hill prides itself on making dream homes that are out of the ordinary, a reality for many.  

Find out more information about all options at Graven Hill

Meet the Pioneers

Follow our Pioneers with us on their journey with Grand Designs: The Street.

Terry & Olwen

Terry & Olwen on Grand Designs - Graven Hill self build plot 1

Terry and Olwen, the oldest couple on the street, have built a future-proofed 3-bed home set up for their retirement.

As featured on Episode 1
Read Terry & Olwen’s full story

Lynn

Lynn on Grand Designs - Graven Hill self build plot 2

Lynn’s unique home is completely different from her previous residence.

As featured on Episode 1
Read Lynn’s full story

Jack & Hannah

Jack & Hannah on Grand Designs - Graven Hill self build plot 3

Making the most of Jack’s existing skillset to save money, Jack has DIY-ed a lot of this project himself.

As featured on Episode 2
Read Jack & Hannah’s full story

Paul & Blanka

Paul and Blanka on Grand Designs - Graven Hill self build plot 4

Priced out of the Oxford rental market, Paul and Blanka have built one of the most sustainable homes on the street.

As featured on Episode 3
Read Paul & Blanka’s full story

Peter & Anita

Peter & Anita on Grand Designs - Graven Hill self build plot 8

Unable to afford a house in the local market, Peter and Anita took the opportunity to build their dream home.

As featured on Episode 4
Read Peter & Anita’s full story

Chris & Roxie

Chris & Roxie on Grand Designs Official - Graven Hill self build plot 3

Chris and Roxie lived with parents while saving for their innovative ‘flat pack’ home.

As featured on Episode 4
Read Chris & Roxie’s full story

Sean & Diana

Sean & Dianna on Grand Designs - Graven Hill self build plot 7

Moving from a small apartment, Sean and Diana are working towards an open-plan, ‘upside-down’ house.

As featured on Episode 5
Read Sean & Diana’s full story

Garrie & Sue

Garrie & Sue on Grand Designs - Graven Hill self build plot 10

A high-tech home built to improve day-to-day life for Sue, who has osteoporosis.

As featured on Episode 5
Read Garrie & Sue’s full story

Pauline & Godfrey

Pauline & Godfrey on Grand Designs - Graven Hill self build plot 9

Downsizing from a larger suburban house, Pauline and Godfrey opted for a single-storey modular home.

As featured on Episode 6
Read Pauline & Godfrey’s full story

 

Are you looking to build your own dream home?

Just leave us a few details and we’ll be in touch shortly.

Call us today
01869 390 009

Email the Sales team
sales@gravenhill.co.uk

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Want to see Graven Hill for yourself?
Get in touch with the team today and we'll book you onto a site tour.
Arrange a Site Tour

“Graven Hill offers a lot of things, but the simple fact it provides availability is just a quantum-leap forward in terms of housing in this country.”

Paul Troop, Pioneer resident

“This is a dream come true for us. Having looked at other places, Graven Hill is like having everything on a plate. Fantastic!”

Terry Brown-Waite, Pioneer resident

“I didn’t realise there was the opportunity to actually do something like this. What came from a need to do something different grew into a real possibility!”

Lynn Pratt, Pioneer resident

“I hope that in five years’ time, it has become a thriving, happy community which provides inspiration for generations to come.”

Chris Haines, Pioneer resident

“[Graven Hill is] the perfect place to build a home as we were able to incorporate what was most important to us. The opportunity at Graven Hill was far and above any other option we had.”

Garrie Smith, Pioneer resident

“If you want to be part of a nice community and you want to self-build then Graven Hill is an easy way to get onto that ladder.”

Useful information

Hillside Homes

Self-Build Homes

The life you’ve always dreamed of, the home you’ve always wanted, exactly the way you want it.

Self Build Academy - Self Build Guide

How to Self-Build Guides

These handy guides explain each stage of the self-build process, from design and planning to project management and build routes.
Self-Build journey - step 1

The Self-Build Journey

We've created seven simple steps so you can see what you’ll need to do and when.
Graven Hill Plot Passport

Planning Permission

Getting planning permission for a new home is often the hardest part of the self-build journey. Not at Graven Hill.
Find a plot Trade directory Get in Touch
Close