Graven Hill - The Story So Far...

Graven Hill is the UK’s largest and most exciting self and custom build development.
In this video, we will explore the story of Graven Hill so far - from its transition from military site into residential development, right up to the growing village community it is today.
Graven Hill is located at the southern edge of Bicester in Oxfordshire, approximately 14 miles north-east of Oxford. Designated as a new Garden Town, but with all the heritage and facilities of a long-established market town, Bicester has so much to offer. Connected to the country’s largest business hubs via road and rail, Bicester's thriving local economy is the perfect place for building the future.
Formerly a military distribution base, Graven Hill’s 188 hectare site encircles an ancient hill of mature woodland and open green space.
In early 2016, work began on transforming the site into a location for aspiring self-builders to create the home of their dreams.
Graven Hill's first 10 self-builders were followed by Channel 4 series Grand Designs: The Street, airing in 2019. These ground-breaking pioneers built their individual homes to form a street, and ultimately a community, like no other in Britain. Grand Designs: The Street showed viewers the options they have when it comes to self-build, and that the process is far more accessible than they may think.
In early 2017, Graven Hill’s Plot Shop opened in Bicester Town Centre.
This year also saw work begin on Phase 1A, which included the first Golden Brick completion on site, landscaping at the village green, the start of Phase 1B earthworks, and the completion of the first new build homes.
2018 saw construction begin on Graven Hill’s first apartment block of 104 units comprising of studio, 1 and 2 bedroom options.
Throughout 2019 and 2020, significant progress continued on self and custom build homes across the site. As can be seen across the development a variety of construction methods have been used including brick, block, Timber, ICF and a number of varieties of modular construction.
Unlike traditional developers, Graven Hill aims to disrupt the traditional housing market and take into account the lessons learned along the way to influence how we deliver future phases.
The self and custom build ethos of the site has also promoted a strong community focus with residents starting to know their neighbours in advance of building their home or receiving the keys for their custom home.
Homes at Graven Hill have been built with a varied product mix, from self and custom build to new build homes, apartments and affordable homes.
By 2021, work on the first apartment block was complete, and a bus service to Oxford was up and running.
Graven Hill's community infrastructure continues to grow and will include a primary school, pre-school nursery and local shops. The site will also be home to approx. 1million sq. ft. of employment land, creating a substantial number of new jobs for local people.
Grand Designs returned to the site for a second series which was aired in April 2022 and followed the journeys of a new group of self-builders and their various routes to building their dream homes.
As of spring 2022, the Graven Hill development has secured 530 residential reservations and has surpassed the milestone of 400 occupations on site.
Whatever home means to you, you can find it here. Whether that’s building from scratch, customising elements of your home to suit your taste, or simply buying a move-in ready home with excellent design at its heart.
Interested in learning more? The Graven Hill team are ready and waiting to speak to you and look forward to helping you find your dream home on our pioneering development.