Ever wondered what it takes to up sticks and buy a chateau in France? Dick and Angel from Channel 4’s Escape to the Chateau answer our most burning questions ahead of their festive special.

Image: Channel 4 Picture Publicity

Have you set yourself a New Year’s resolution yet? How about planning something huge like buying your own Chateau in rural France?

If your answer to this is easy (of course you would!), we caught up with Dick Strawbridge and Angel Adoree from Channel 4’s Escape to the Chateau to pick their brains about the not-so-easy practical matters to consider.

How did you find the chateau?

‘Hours upon hours of internet searching, family trips around France and many 1 day viewings to find the one.’

What hurdles did you face?

‘Many! Estate agents being very secretive about location and causing wasted trips, farmers having ‘sitting tenant rights’ to use land ‘included’ in your purchase.. and many many big properties having had part of the estate already sold off… It took years of looking to find the one.’

Talk us through how you set up your business.

‘We already had a business in the UK for events, so finally having found our fairy-tale location it meant we could expand. We wanted to provide exclusive getaways and weddings that we would like to attend!’

Dick Strawbridge and Angel Adoree from Channel 4’s Escape to the Chateau outside their chateau in France, Channel 4 Picture Publicity

What key factors should couples consider before taking on this sort of project?

‘Firstly, you need to ensure you are capable of prioritising tasks and doing essential things before the things you want to do!  If you are doing this as a couple you must have the same objective and work ethic, things are not always easy in France.’

Did you have a vision of what you wanted before taking the plunge?

‘Yes! We knew we wanted it to be a business and we wanted the lifestyle and space!’

Finally, after doing it yourself, would you do it again? What would you do differently, if anything.

‘We absolute made the right decision, it’s great but no way we would it again – one Chateau is enough for anyone! It’s our forever home…’

 

Escape to the Chateau at Christmas will be on our screens on 23rd December 2018, at 8pm.

 

What are your grand plans for 2019? Let us know by tagging us on Instagram with #thisgoodhome, tweeting us @goodhomesmag or posting a comment on our Facebook page.

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