Stephen Grindrod LTD

Stephen Grindrod LTD Stephen Grindrod LTD brings 40 years of excellence in natural, sustainable, heritage and regenerative building. For more, visit our website.

We support the regeneration of people, place, and planet through a comprehensive range of skills and services. Our Values:
At Stephen Grindrod Limited, we are more than just a building company. We support the regeneration of people, place and planet. We support people by creating spaces that enhance the health and well-being of the inhabitants and by championing practical skills and meaningful emp

loyment. We contribute toward restoring Britain's places by conserving existing heritage structures and building our future heritage today. We support the planet by actively working to reduce our industry’s impact and envisioning and demonstrating a future where our homes and lifestyles can positively impact Earth. Skills & Materials:
We work with a range of specialist products and materials that are ideal for heritage, natural and sustainable building projects. Take a tour on our website to learn more about our specialist skills and services, or to view a few of our case studies. Where we work:
We are based in Cumbria and will consider building projects across the North West. We are also taking on a small number of regenerative projects in Scotland and the North of England. Please complete the contact form on our website to book a free consultation.

10/08/2026

A project update from Far Houses 🌿

Progress continues at the Far Houses project as we move further into the next phase of conservation.

From above, it's easier to appreciate the scale of the historic farmstead and the extent of the work taking place across the site. With the most vulnerable sections now stabilised, attention is turning to protecting the exposed wall tops. Across the project, both hard capping and a hybrid soft capping technique are being used, with each approach carefully selected to suit the condition and requirements of different areas of the site.

Each technique has an important role to play. In some areas, a hybrid soft capping technique is being used, where sections of hard capping are formed on either side of the wall top, creating a central trench. This trench is then infilled with soil before turf, harvested gradually from the surrounding fields, is carefully laid over the top and secured with bamboo pegs while it becomes established. In other areas, hard capping is being used where a more robust level of protection is required. Together, these carefully considered conservation techniques help regulate moisture, reduce long-term erosion, and protect the remaining masonry, helping to preserve the farmstead for future generations.

Projects like this are built on patience and understanding. Every stage is carefully planned, ensuring each intervention respects the building's history while contributing to its long-term conservation.

➕More updates from Far Houses to follow as the project progresses — follow us for updates from site.

🔗If you have a heritage, conservation, or natural building project you would like to discuss, please get in touch via our website (link in bio).

❓What do you find most fascinating about the conservation of historic places like Far Houses?

15/07/2026

Roots & Walls – A Discovery Day into the Lake District's Living Built Heritage 🌿

Recently, we welcomed students and tutors from Lancaster School of Architecture at Lancaster University for Roots & Walls, a discovery day hosted by Stephen Grindrod Ltd in collaboration with Countryside Consultants.

Beginning at our Coniston Hub before travelling to the Far Houses project in the Duddon Valley, the day explored the relationship between landscape, vernacular buildings, traditional building methods, and natural materials. Walking the ancient bridleway into the farmstead offered a reminder that understanding a historic building also means understanding the people, routes, and landscape that shaped it.

At Far Houses, Stephen, Peter from Countryside Consultants, and Dan Elsworth from Greenlane Archaeology shared their knowledge of the site's history, archaeology, and the ongoing conservation works being carried out for our clients, Natural England, with Jim from Natural England joining discussions throughout the day. Students also observed live demonstrations of the consolidation works, including hard capping and the hybrid soft capping technique.

The day concluded with a visit to a second project, exploring a proposed hempcrete extension and the role of natural materials in contemporary construction.

A huge thank you to Lancaster School of Architecture, Lancaster University, Countryside Consultants, Greenlane Archaeology, Natural England, and everyone who joined us for such an engaging and thought-provoking day.

➕More from our projects to follow — follow us for updates from site.

🔗If you have a heritage, conservation, or natural building project you'd like to discuss, please get in touch via our website (link in bio).

❓What part of the day would you have found most interesting?

06/07/2026

A quick site access check at Far Houses, pre open day 🌿

Part of today’s work on site was walking the public footpath that runs from the village road and through the site to assess access along the route.

We’re planning an open day here for visiting architecture students, so it’s important to understand how people will move safely and practically through the area — and where any temporary parking or access arrangements could be positioned.

The footpath forms a key connection between the village and the project.

A quick look was all it took really — the route is straightforward, and access appears to be perfectly suitable for what we need.

As with many parts of this project, it’s often about simply spending time on the ground and understanding how the site actually works in practice.

👀We have something new and interesting to share from Far Houses soon, so keep an eye on our updates.

🔗If you have a heritage, conservation, or natural building project you would like to discuss, please get in touch via our website (link in bio).

➕More from Far Houses to follow as the project progresses — follow us for updates from site.

❓Have you ever visited a site or building where access changed how you experienced the place?

10/05/2026

Behind the scenes at the Far Houses project as we move into phase 2 🌿

One aspect that often goes unseen is the level of preparation required to keep a project like this running safely and smoothly.

Before any work begins, each stage is carefully planned to meet health and safety requirements, while ensuring we can deliver the high standard of work we are renowned for within the project timeframes. Ongoing checks are carried out throughout — including monitoring structural movement and reviewing each new section of scaffolding as it’s introduced.

It’s a complex and, at times, hazardous environment, so coordination on site is key. Regular inspections are carried out alongside the architects, Countryside Consultants and our clients, Natural England to ensure the project progresses responsibly.

As work continues, we’re still uncovering traces of the building’s more recent past — including the old Rayburn range that once sat at the heart of the farmhouse kitchen. Small details like these offer a glimpse into how the house was once lived in.

With the initial stabilisation works now complete, we’re moving into phase 2 — rebuilding selected sections and consolidating unstable walls while retaining the scale and character of the original structure.

Part of this next stage will involve protecting the exposed wall tops using both soft and hard capping techniques. Turf and moss from the surrounding landscape will be used to help mitigate erosion and protect the structure long term, allowing future generations to experience and explore this historic farmstead.

➕More from site to follow as phase 2 progresses — follow us for updates from site, and sign up to our mailing list for exclusive content shared only with subscribers (link in bio).

❓What part of a project like this would you be most interested to see more of — the conservation work, the history, or the rebuilding process?

New vehicle graphics installed on our vehicles 🚐We’ve recently had the vehicles updated with new graphics, bringing them...
04/05/2026

New vehicle graphics installed on our vehicles 🚐

We’ve recently had the vehicles updated with new graphics, bringing them in line with our branding and the work we carry out across natural, sustainable and heritage building projects — building the heritage of the future today.

A big thank you to Logo Plus for the design and installation across the vehicles.

You’ll also spot Paint Saints in one of the photos — good to be working alongside other quality trades on site.

Keep an eye out for us on the road across Cumbria and the North West — give us a wave if you spot us 👋

➕Take a look through our profile to see more of the work we do, and follow us for updates from site.

❓What do you think of the new graphics?

30/04/2026

We are starting a new project in the Duddon Valley… and it’s going to be an interesting one 👀🌿

A fresh start on site at this beautiful farmhouse, where we’ve been brought in to deliver a new extension — and it’s shaping up to be a really interesting build.

The footprint is fairly large, so the existing outbuilding will be carefully taken down, along with sections of the current structure, to make way for the new build. Wherever possible, we’ll be retaining and reusing the original local stone to form the new gable — keeping the character of the building tied to its surroundings.

The new extension will be a timber frame hempcrete build, combining traditional materials with modern, natural & sustainable construction methods. With large sliding doors opening out onto a new patio area, the design makes the most of the breathtaking views across the Duddon Valley landscape.

There’s plenty to think about on this one — especially when it comes to the foundations — but those are the projects we enjoy the most.

This is just the beginning, and there’s a lot more to come on this build.

➕Take a look through our profile for similar projects and follow us to stay updated on this project as we take it from day one through to completion.

What part of this project are you most interested to see develop?

23/04/2026

Hidden features uncovered inside this ancient cottage at Far Houses, Duddon Mosses 👀🌿

We’re back at Far Houses, and with the inside now largely cleared out, more of this remarkable building is beginning to reveal itself.

Across the ground floor, the original blue flagstone floors can now be seen running throughout the space — a fantastic survival and a real glimpse into the cottage’s past.

As we continue exploring, more historic details are coming to light: evidence of multiple fireplaces, some older than others, the reveal of an old fire window, the remains of an old oven, blackened masonry from years of use, original plaster lines, and even a small cupboard area that once held an oak shelf.

In what may be the oldest part of the house, an earlier fireplace can still be seen, complete with its original lintel, blocked flue, original arris details, and corbelled-out sections. Nearby, beautiful layers of historic limewash and old lath and plaster partitions still survive within the structure.

One of the most exciting discoveries is a very significant hidden diamond mullion oak window, concealed behind a later modern addition. Finds like this are what make projects like Far Houses so special — every layer removed reveals another piece of the building’s story.

This ancient farmstead continues to surprise us at every stage.

➕Take a look through our profile for more Far Houses updates and follow along as we continue uncovering the history of this unique vernacular building.

Which of these discoveries would you most like to see up close?

21/04/2026

What we uncovered inside this ancient cottage at Far Houses, Duddon Mosses 🌿

As part of the latest clean out, we’ve removed the rubble and old timber beams — revealing the original floor beneath, including a beautiful old flagstone floor hidden for years.

But that’s not all.

As the space opens up, even more beautiful and fascinating historic details are starting to appear. Stephen’s intuition about there being an inglenook fireplace in this part of the cottage now appears to have been correct, with the fireplace now being revealed. What looks to be the original oven — complete with the oven door, old smoke hood, and lintel — has also been uncovered, along with a surviving window seat with the timber still in place and original plaster lines still visible on the walls.

We’re also uncovering clues that show how the cottage changed over time, with evidence of former beams, a timber mullion, altered partitions, a more modern fireplace, and different phases of construction.

This is why projects like Far Houses are so fascinating — every layer removed reveals another piece of hidden history.

➕Take a look through our profile for more Far Houses updates and follow along as we continue uncovering the story of this remarkable ancient farmstead.

What would you be most excited to find inside a building like this?

16/04/2026

Soft capping in action on a historic wall in Scotland 🌿

This is a great example of a traditional and increasingly recognised conservation technique known as soft capping — something we’re likely to implement at the Far Houses project, Duddon Mosses.

Rather than using hard cement or stone capping, soft capping uses natural materials such as soil, turf, and vegetation to protect the tops of exposed walls. Research by Historic England shows that this approach can be far less disruptive and more effective over time, helping to protect historic masonry while working with the building rather than against it.

Soft capping helps regulate moisture and temperature within the wall head, reducing the damaging effects of water ingress and freeze-thaw cycles — two of the main causes of decay in exposed historic masonry.

It’s also a cost-effective and environmentally sympathetic solution, often enhancing biodiversity while preserving more of the original historic fabric.

Methods like this are a key part of building conservation — using natural, breathable materials and traditional approaches to protect and extend the life of historic structures.

We’ll be looking to apply similar principles at Far Houses as the project progresses.

➕Take a look at our other Far Houses videos on our profile to see how the project is developing — and follow along to see how techniques like this are implemented on site.

Had you come across soft capping before?

14/04/2026

Uncovering a new vantage point at the Far Houses Project, Duddon Mosses 🌿

With scaffolding now in place on the barn gable, we’re beginning to see the true scale of this historic structure — and it’s absolutely massive. Given its condition, it’s remarkable that this gable is still standing at all.

From scaffold height, we can properly assess the structure and safely move into the next phase of works. The gable that was built in earth mortar and had a significant lean, as you may have seen in a previous video, was taken down last week — making that section safe to work on.

The team are currently working on a separate section of the building, which will soon be accessible from the new scaffolding being constructed. This area is being prepared for the next stage of repairs, where another section of wall will be taken down and the wall tops stabilised.

Elsewhere across the site, further sections are being carefully taken down where required to make the structure safe and secure for exploration — including this section of wall on the old barn, which is being taken down to the corner and rebuilt.

At the same time, great progress continues on the old house in the top corner of the ancient farmstead, which is already revealing some fascinating historic details that we’ll be sharing soon — so keep an eye out for upcoming updates.

Projects like this are about understanding the structure as it unfolds — working carefully, step by step, to stabilise, conserve, and uncover the story of the building over time.

With architects back on site and more work ahead, it’s an exciting stage in the project.

➕You can explore more from the Far Houses project on our profile — and follow along to see how this historic farmstead continues to evolve.

What do you think we’ll uncover next as we open the building up further?

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3a Lake Road
Loughrigg
LA218EW

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+441539437794

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