George Bannister

Catch George on DO Radio: Making Stuff Up with Emma Warren 14th - 20th September 2026.

George Bannister sees potential where most people see problems.

Since 2012, he has been restoring tired, unloved period properties and turning them into remarkable places to live, stay and remember. Old buildings. Modern twists. Plenty of character. And always that all-important “wow”.

Through BlackOak, George specialises in high-end renovations and holiday lets. His earlier projects include founding Blackdown Shepherd’s Huts, Otterhead House, a luxury country retreat for large groups, and The Old Chicken House, a romantic hideaway beside a nature reserve.

But George hasn’t built these businesses simply to create beautiful spaces. He has used property to design a life with more freedom and to breathe new life into old places.