Grand Designs 'Saddest Ever' Chesil Cliff House Sells After 12 Years

After 12 years of difficult renovations and financial hardship, the Chesil Cliff House, famously featured in Channel 4's 'saddest ever' Grand Designs episode, has finally sold. Owner Edward Short began the project in 2010 with plans to build a coastal lighthouse-inspired home in North Devon, but the construction spiraled out of control, resulting in £7 million of debt and the breakdown of his marriage. Despite initially listing the property for £10 million, it was eventually sold in October 2024 for around £5.25 million through estate agents Savills. The five-bedroom home, set on three acres with features like an infinity pool and a glass lighthouse tower, attracted notable interest but also faced structural challenges due to the vulnerable cliff location. Edward expressed relief at the sale, describing it as closure to a long and painful chapter, though he joked about hoping to buy it back one day. The project remains a cautionary tale about the risks of ambitious property builds and their potential personal and financial tolls.