Escape to the Chateau DIY

Can one couple transform a wreck into a fairy tale castle? Combining a relocation abroad story, with a challenging restoration project, this absorbing new series follows TV presenter Dick Strawbridge (Scrapheap Challenge) and his family over the course of a year, after moving to northern France. Dick and partner Angel have bought a 45 room chateau, complete with 12 acres of land and a moat. However, the chateau has been empty for more than 40 years; it has no electricity or water, has become a habitat for wildlife and the moat is full of sewage. Hands-on Dick is keen to do most of the work himself, aiming to transform the wrecked chateau into a thing of beauty in time for his wedding to Angel. He’s also set on living off the land by hunting and growing his own food. Dick and Angel are very much in love but the challenges of settling into a new country with young children, coupled with the engineering, logistical and financial problems they encounter, put a strain on their relationship and arguments erupt. Will this fairy tale adventure have a happy ending? Do the Strawbridge’s get the castle of their dreams, filled with beautiful things, and is everything completed in time for their perfect wedding?