“I went on a course for four days about straw bale houses,” says Kester. “The advantage is that it’s very, very accessible. You can just stack bales up and you can build a wall.” Kester is also quick to point out that people with only a limited knowledge of building can successfully build a straw bale house.

It took just 12 months to build this house of straw, and it was a real community effort on the part of Kester and his friends. The bales are coated with clay and lime plaster which seal in all that rustic charm.

Living in a straw house feels totally different to a brick home. There are no sharp edges due to the nature of the building techniques, only lovely organic lines everywhere you look. Both the plaster and paint are breathable. This makes for a pleasant environment that will rarely feel too humid or too dry, and it remains remarkably warm inside all winter long.