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The Linhay will be the new Devon base for Living Spirit…


We are now in the final stages of our purchase of The Linhay in Rattery, South Devon and hope to be starting on site over the next few weeks. We thought we'd use this page to introduce our friends, and folks interested in Living Spirit, to our new project. For more details of the build as it progresses, please follow our new blog…

contemporary living with respect for traditional buildings and materials

Rattery is a lovely, peaceful South Hams village, not far from Totnes and within an easy drive of both the beautiful South Devon coastline and our beloved Dartmoor.

It seems like an ideal base for our family, as Tam approaches his teens and it will certainly be easier to live by our eco principles within cycling distance of his school and the shops! With its pretty and secluded setting and enough space for an office and some guest accommodation, The Linhay will also work well for Living Spirit and Graphic Alchemy.

A view of the barn from the rear with the village church in the distance Front elevation... with washing! First floor... our future living space Linhay garden ground Rear elevation with Piggery (future Hermitage) on left Front elevation of the Piggery View from the garden
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‘Linhay’ is a seventeenth century word for a hay barn and although this Linhay may not be that old, there's a great appeal to converting a historic building.


Linhays were open fronted buildings on two levels and often built into a bank. The first floor would have been used to store hay, while the ground floor was used for housing animals or machinery.


Local architect Alex. P Gath has done a wonderful job creating a design that marries contemporary living with respect for traditional buildings and materials and using his plans we have been working with another local firm, Steve Bryan Developments, to plan an eco build. Although our financial resources are limited, we are working towards the Association for Environmental Building Association (AECB) Silver Standard. In a nutshell, this includes good levels of insulation and airtightness (including high performance timber doors & windows) and energy efficient heating, lighting and appliances.

We'll also be using water efficient sanitary ware and natural materials and finishes throughout.


Perhaps the part we are most looking forward to, after several years in rented properties, is designing and developing our half acre of south facing garden. Wild schemes abound… for ponds, cedar greenhouses, bees, ducks & chickens, organic veggies, a turf roofed sanctuary and celtic labyrinth!