If you were to inherit a vast land from your parents, what would you do with it? Would you turn it into a modern subdivision?
Would you sell or stay?
On September 11, 2022, Faircompanies received an email through their website’s contact form.
There, they read a message from Chris Frost.
“In UK you might be interested in our improved WW1 German prisoner shed.”
Chris then added the exact coordinates of his beautiful home.
It’s a paradise filled with rich history.
Helga and Chris Frost live in Godalming, England.
It is a historical English town in Surrey. Positioned strategically between Portsmouth and London Transit, it was the first town to have electricity in 1881.
Chris’ home in Wood Farm, Godalming was once a prisoner war camp in World War I.
Because of its location, Godalming was used to store things and even to house people in WWI and WWII.
During the tour, Chris showed Kirsten that their home used to be an L-shape prisoner war billet that was put together.
Chris said that the houses before were small and they would just put up small bunk beds and it could accommodate 20 or more people.
Now, it’s anything but small.
All houses were demolished after the war and then sold to individuals.
Those who bought the materials rebuilt sheds, homes, and so much more with them.
Chris’ parents bought some.
They rebuilt it so they could stay there while their primary home was being constructed.
A growing home for a growing family.
Chris toured Kirsten inside the home, and it was really cozy.
He said that they all started with a small house, and when there was something they needed, he would build it from scratch.
Chris invented a hydraulically powered pull-out staircase that reveals an attic bedroom when opened.
His kids used to sleep there, and now, even his grandkids love to stay there.
Helga, Chris’ wife, toured everyone to her kitchen, showcasing her AGA cooker.
She also explained how she made her sourdough bread and goat cheeses.
They are incredibly independent.
Speaking of goats, she also showed how she milks her goats and how happy she is with her daily tasks.
Chris shared that around four decades ago, he managed a project for IBM called the SWIFT project.
In their home, Helga tended to her farm, garden, and animals.
A simple life but a busy one.
Hobbies, Gardens, Animals, and a Bar
Decades passed and their family grew.
They even converted their old barn into a party hall where everyone in their community would gather and spend time together.
The whole family worked together and converted the upstairs barn into a home for Chris’ brother.
Chris’ son also has a laboratory upstairs as well as two gardeners from Hungary who also lives there.
Soon, many other people asked if they could live there.
These people and friends turned into family, and Chris never felt so happy with his growing family.
Aside from farming, Chris’ friends also have sheds where they would work on storing vintage vehicles.
Chris proudly showed his Morris Oxford restored car.
It looks so fancy.
He told the history behind it and that he reminded his kids not to sell his car – no matter what.
“As we get old, you need lots of people around you, to help whenever you need help,” Chris shared.
We couldn’t agree more.
His family is growing, they are all productive, healthy, and of course, happy.
Take the full tour of Chris’s amazing, time-honored home in the video below!
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