Misplaced Pages

Escape to the Chateau: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 13:59, 2 April 2021 editMoondyne (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users56,064 editsm →Series 3← Previous edit Latest revision as of 13:36, 5 January 2025 edit undoPita Pye (talk | contribs)64 editsNo edit summary 
(98 intermediate revisions by 60 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|British television documentary series}} {{Short description|British television reality series}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox television {{Infobox television
| image = Martigné-sur-Mayenne - château de la Motte-Husson 20190608.jpg
| name = Escape to the Chateau
| image = Martigné-sur-Mayenne - château de la Motte-Husson 20190608.jpg | caption = ] in June 2019
| caption = ] in June 2019 | genre = ]
| narrated = ]
| genre = Documentary
| creator = | country = United Kingdom
| writer = | language = English
| director = | num_seasons = 9
| num_episodes = 50
| creative_director =
| list_episodes = #Episode list
| narrated = ]
| country = United Kingdom | location = ]
| language = English | runtime = 47 minutes
| num_seasons = 7 | company = Spark Media Partners<br />Kindling Media
| num_episodes = 32 | network = ]
| first_aired = {{Start date|2016|06|05|df=yes}}
| list_episodes =
| last_aired = {{End date|2022|12|18|df=yes}}
| executive_producer =
| producer = | related = {{nowrap|'']''}}
| news_editor = <!-- Content editor or editors of a current affairs/political show such as Newsnight. -->
| location = ]
| cinematography =
| editor = <!-- Film editors -->
| camera = <!-- Either Single-camera or Multi-camera -->
| runtime = 55 minutes
| company = Spark Media Partners<br />Kindling Media
| distributor =
| network = ] (UK)
| audio_format = ]
| picture_format = ] ]
| first_aired = {{Start date|2016|06|05|df=yes}}
| last_aired = {{End date|present|df=yes}}
| followed_by = {{nowrap|'']''}}
| website = <!-- Remove or comment out this parameter line completely if URL exists on or is moved to Wikidata -->
| production_website = https://sparkmedia.tv/
}} }}


'''''Escape to the Chateau''''' is a British ] documentary series which follows the story of couple ] and Angel Adoree along with their family as they buy, renovate and redecorate the 19th-century ] in ], France, and simultaneously juggle growing both their business and family. The first season follows Dick and Angel's quest to restore the ] from its uninhabitable state by installing running water, heating and electricity throughout the 45-room castle, which had not been lived in for the past forty years. They are working against a deadline: their own wedding, which is to be held at the property. The subsequent seasons continue their story as they grow their events and wedding business and continue restoration, renovations and maintenance of the castle, and document the family events and milestones going on around them. '''''Escape to the Chateau''''' is a ] ] series, which follows the story of couple ] and Angela ("Angel") Adoree and their family as they bought and renovated the 19th-century ], in ], France, while simultaneously raising two young children and starting a business hosting weddings and other events.
The first season followed Dick and Angel's quest to restore the derelict ] from its uninhabitable state by installing running water, heating and electricity in the 45-room château, which had not been lived in for the previous forty years. They were working against a deadline – their own wedding – which was to be held at the property. The subsequent seasons of the program continued the story as they established their special events business, at the same time as renovating the château and its grounds. It also documented family events and milestones.

Nine series of the programme were filmed, with Series 9 first airing on Channel 4 in the UK on 30 October 2022. That was the final series.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/oct/29/castle-life-whats-next-for-esacpe-to-the-chateaus-dick-and-angel |title=Castle life: what's next for Escape to the Chateau's Dick and Angel? |first=Scarlett |last=Conlon |date=29 October 2022 |work=The Guardian |access-date=27 December 2022}}</ref>

Following the completion of the final series of ''Escape to the Chateau'', Dick and Angel Strawbridge launched a weekly podcast titled ''Dick & Angel’s CHAT…EAU.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2023 |title=Escape to the Chateau's Dick & Angel Strawbridge launch new podcast |url=https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/a45751386/escape-chateau-dick-angel-strawbridge-podcast/ |access-date=8 November 2023 |website=House Beautiful |language=en-GB}}</ref> The first episode launched on Global Player and other major podcast platforms on 1 November 2023, and is titled ''112 Steps, 2 Turrets & 1 Tip''. It involved the couple looking back at how they found their chateau and knew that it was "the one".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dick & Angel's Chat...Eau - Podcast |url=https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KvrA/ |access-date=8 November 2023 |website=Global Player |language=en}}</ref>


== Cast information == == Cast information ==


===Dick Strawbridge=== ===Dick Strawbridge===
Formerly a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army, ] has appeared on numerous television shows such as '']'' (2006), '']'' (2006), '']'' (2009), '']'' and '']'' (2011), ''Dirty Rotten Survival'' (2015), and many others. However, his engineering and food experience is highlighted in ''Escape to the Chateau'', with his can-do attitude and engineering expertise at the fore, as the work on the chateau and its close-surrounding land continues through the seasons. Formerly a Lieutenant Colonel in the ], engineer ] appeared on numerous television shows, including '']'' (2006), '']'' (2006), '']'' (2009), '']'' (2011), '']'' (2011) and ''Dirty Rotten Survival'' (2015). In ''Escape to the Chateau'', his engineering and cooking experience is highlighted, with his can-do attitude and mechanical expertise at the fore, as work on the château and its surrounding land continues through the seasons.


=== Angel Adoree === === Angela ("Angel") Adoree ===
Adoree was born 7 April 1978 as Angela Newman and grew up on ], where her family ran a jewellers' shop.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/15643834.celeb-returns-home-to-open-family-shop/ |title=Celeb returns home to open family shop |first=Emma |last=Robinson |website=Echo |language=en |access-date=2 November 2019}}</ref> She runs a hospitality business called The Vintage Patisserie,<ref>{{cite web |title=About Vintage Patisserie |url=http://vintagepatisserie.co.uk/about/ |publisher=Vintage Patisserie |access-date=14 January 2024}}</ref> for which she sought investment when she appeared on the reality television business programme, '']'', in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden/entrepreneurs/angelanewman.shtml |title=BBC - Dragons' Den - Entrepreneurs - Angela Newman |last=Robertson |first=Charles |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en-GB |access-date=2 November 2019}}</ref> In 2015, the business relocated to Chateau-de-la-Motte Husson.
Angel Adoree, who runs a hospitality business called The Vintage Patisserie,<ref></ref> for which she sought investment when she appeared on '']'' in 2010,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden/entrepreneurs/angelanewman.shtml|title=BBC - Dragons' Den - Entrepreneurs - Angela Newman|last=Robertson|first=Charles|website=www.bbc.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-11-02}}</ref> provides a creative factor and flair for the show, adding her style and interior-decoration skill to the château as well as sharing in the interest in hospitality and entertaining to make lasting memories for their guests.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/abroad/we-bought-a-crumbling-french-chteau---but-restoring-it-was-no-fa/|title=We bought a crumbling French château - but restoring it was no fairytale|last=Fox-Leonard|first=Boudicca|date=2016-06-04|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2018-11-09|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/14/my-vintage-wardrobe-angel-adoree-owner-of-the-vintage-patisserie_n_7354596.html|title=My Vintage Wardrobe: Angel Adoree, Owner Of The Vintage Patisserie|date=2014-08-14|website=HuffPost UK|language=en|access-date=2019-11-02}}</ref> Adoree was born Angela Newman and grew up on ], where her family runs a jewelers' shop.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/15643834.celeb-returns-home-to-open-family-shop/|title=Celeb returns home to open family shop|website=Echo|language=en|access-date=2019-11-02}}</ref>


Adoree provided a creative factor and flair for the show, adding her style and interior-decoration skill to the château renovation, as well as sharing her interest in hospitality and entertaining.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/abroad/we-bought-a-crumbling-french-chteau---but-restoring-it-was-no-fa/ |title=We bought a crumbling French château - but restoring it was no fairytale |last=Fox-Leonard |first=Boudicca |date=4 June 2016 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=9 November 2018 |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/14/my-vintage-wardrobe-angel-adoree-owner-of-the-vintage-patisserie_n_7354596.html |title=My Vintage Wardrobe: Angel Adoree, Owner Of The Vintage Patisserie |date=14 August 2014 |website=HuffPost UK |language=en |access-date=2 November 2019}}</ref>
They have two children: Arthur and Dorothy.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://hellomagazine.com/film/20210116104660/escape-to-the-chateau-dick-angel-strawbridge-reveal-future-of-chateau/| title=Dick and Angel Strawbridge open up about children's future plans for the chateau| date=16 January 2021| website=hellomagazine.com| url-status=live| access-date=18 January 2021| archive-date=18 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119035935/https://ca.hellomagazine.com/film/20210116104660/escape-to-the-chateau-dick-angel-strawbridge-reveal-future-of-chateau/}}</ref>

The couple has two children, Arthur and Dorothy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hellomagazine.com/film/20210116104660/escape-to-the-chateau-dick-angel-strawbridge-reveal-future-of-chateau/ |title=Dick and Angel Strawbridge open up about children's future plans for the chateau| date=16 January 2021| website=hellomagazine.com| url-status=live| access-date=18 January 2021| archive-date=19 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119035935/https://ca.hellomagazine.com/film/20210116104660/escape-to-the-chateau-dick-angel-strawbridge-reveal-future-of-chateau/}}</ref>


{{clear}} {{clear}}
Line 53: Line 46:


{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|+Episode List<ref name="episodes">{{cite web |url=https://www.channel4.com/programmes/escape-to-the-chateau/episode-guide/|title=Escape to the Chateau - Episode Guide - All 4 |website=www.channel4.com |language=en |access-date=2018-10-19}}</ref> |+Episode List<ref name="episodes">{{cite web |url=https://www.channel4.com/programmes/escape-to-the-chateau/episode-guide/|title=Escape to the Chateau - Episode Guide - All 4 |website=www.channel4.com |language=en |access-date=19 October 2018}}</ref>
!Season !Season
!Number !Number
Line 64: Line 57:
|1 |1
|1 |1
|Finding the Chateau |Hole in the Wall
|After years of searching we found our forever home, the derelict 19th century Chateau de la Motte Husson. Complete with a moat, pepper-pot turrets, and 200 pages of purchase documentation listing why not to buy The Chateau. This truly was 'The Beginning'!
|Dick and Angel find their castle. Looking through the large list of restorations needed, Dick begins with a heating system.
|5 June 2016 |5 June 2016
|- |-
Line 71: Line 64:
|2 |2
|2 |2
|They're Our Flies
|Chickens, Heating and Blank Canvas
|It was time for us to move into The Chateau and the transformation of bringing life back into those substantial walls began. We have a wedding to plan and a Chateau to renovate all in 9 months which we quickly realized is not really that long away at all!
|The deadline is approaching, and the budget is left with £20,000 to finish refurbishments.
|12 June 2016 |12 June 2016
|- |-
Line 78: Line 71:
|3 |3
|3 |3
|Angel's Palace of Dreams
|Pineapple Chandeliers and a Wedding
|Walls are being knocked through and turrets transformed into museums. Dinner is served in our new downstairs kitchen and the kids have a new helter skelter to explore.
|Dick and Angel are expected to marry in a few weeks at the chateau, but they still need to fix more rooms to house and cater to their 200 expected guests.
|19 June 2016 |19 June 2016
|-
|1
|4
|4
|A Pineapple Chandelier, a Moat & a Wedding
|Our wedding is drawing ever closer and we are determined to renovate nearly 3 floors of The Chateau into beautiful rooms before our big day.
|26 June 2016
|} |}


Line 96: Line 96:
|2 |2
|1 |1
|4 |5
|Pig Roaster and Versailles Loo |Pig Roaster and Versailles Loo
|The couple begins to grow their events business as the chateau. Dick prepares for their first paid event by making a DIY ]. Family life also expands with their three-year-old son Arthur’s first day at school. Angel creates a Versailles-inspired downstairs toilet. |The couple begins to grow their events business at the chateau. Dick prepares for their first paid event by making a DIY ]. Family life also expands with their three-year-old son Arthur’s first day at school. Angel creates a Versailles-inspired downstairs toilet.
|27 November 2016 |27 November 2016
|- |-
|2 |2
|2 |2
|5 |6
|Fishing, Foraging and an Elevator |Fishing, Foraging and an Elevator
|Dick and Angel want to enhance their money-making prospects with the possibility of fishing in the moat and installing a ] in the turret. |Dick and Angel want to enhance their money-making prospects with the possibility of fishing in the moat and installing a ] in the turret.
Line 110: Line 110:
|2 |2
|3 |3
|6 |7
|Christmas at the Chateau |Christmas at the Chateau
|Christmas is coming. Angel prepares the Christmas festivities and Dick prepares the food, in time for the family coming from England. |Christmas is coming. Angel prepares the Christmas festivities and Dick prepares the food, in time for the family coming from England.
Line 129: Line 129:
|3 |3
|1 |1
|7 |8
|Only 20 Rooms to Go |Only 20 Rooms to Go
|Angel and Dick keep working on the 20 rooms that still need fixing. |Angel and Dick keep working on the 20 rooms that still need fixing.
Line 136: Line 136:
|3 |3
|2 |2
|8 |9
|Spring |Spring
|Dick tries to tackle his ]. Angel creates a ] in the castle. Guests propose during a food event. |Dick tries to tackle his ]. Angel creates a ] in the castle. Guests propose during a food event.
Line 143: Line 143:
|3 |3
|3 |3
|9 |10
|The Wedding Season |The Wedding Season
|The wedding season is approaching, so Dick needs to clean out and prepare the barn for the events. |The wedding season is approaching, so Dick needs to clean out and prepare the barn for the events.
Line 162: Line 162:
|4 |4
|1 |1
|10 |11
|Weddings, Stables & Staircases |Weddings, Stables & Staircases
|A busy summer with seven weddings and 14 food-lovers' weekends to prepare, as well as fixing the stables and gardens. |A busy summer with seven weddings and 14 food-lovers' weekends to prepare, as well as fixing the stables and gardens.
Line 169: Line 169:
|4 |4
|2 |2
|11 |12
|Harvest and Birthday |Harvest and Birthday
|Angel plans for a floating ] over the moat. They celebrate Dick’s birthday. |Angel plans for a floating ] over the moat. They celebrate Dick’s birthday.
Line 176: Line 176:
|4 |4
|3 |3
|12 |13
|A Floating Dome |A Floating Dome
|Dick tackles the chateau's crumbling ] while Angel finishes the geodesic dome over the moat. The family use it well with a campout under the stars. |Dick tackles the chateau's crumbling ] while Angel finishes the geodesic dome over the moat. The family use it well with a campout under the stars.
|1 April 2018 |1 April 2018
|} |}
Line 195: Line 195:
|5 |5
|1 |1
|13 |14
|Glamping |Glamping
|Dick and Angel throw open the shutters of their French chateau for a new season, as they work to create a luxury glamping experience and contend with frequent rainshowers. |Dick and Angel throw open the shutters of their French chateau for a new season, as they work to create a luxury glamping experience and contend with frequent rainshowers.
Line 202: Line 202:
|5 |5
|2 |2
|14 |15
|In the Attic |In the Attic
|Angel plans a stunning attic studio. She and Dorothy go on a mother-daughter trip to Paris and Dick's busy in the outbuildings. There's a surprise birthday event - with popcorn. |Angel plans a stunning attic studio. She and Dorothy go on a mother-daughter trip to Paris and Dick's busy in the outbuildings. There's a surprise birthday event - with popcorn.
Line 209: Line 209:
|5 |5
|3 |3
|15 |16
|Parkour & Turret |Parkour & Turret
|Angel creates a series of rooms in the chateau's pepper-pot turret. Dick opens up a ] fitness trail in the grounds, but he hits an unexpected snag. |Angel creates a series of rooms in the chateau's pepper-pot turret. Dick opens up a ] fitness trail in the grounds, but he hits an unexpected snag.
Line 216: Line 216:
|5 |5
|4 |4
|16 |17
|Peak Summer |Peak Summer
|It's the height of summer and the heat is on for Dick and Angel, with the peak of the events season, wedding cakes melting, school holidays, a boating lake, and a leaky boat. |It's the height of summer and the heat is on for Dick and Angel, with the peak of the events season, wedding cakes melting, school holidays, a boating lake, and a leaky boat.
Line 223: Line 223:
|5 |5
|5 |5
|17 |18
|Cafe Grandma |Cafe Grandma
|Before winter sets in, Dick ploughs the wildflower meadow and joins with Angel in bringing the dilapidated coach house back to life, in a bid to create 'Cafe Grandma'. |Before winter sets in, Dick ploughs the wildflower meadow and joins with Angel in bringing the dilapidated coach house back to life, in a bid to create 'Cafe Grandma'.
Line 230: Line 230:
|5 |5
|6 |6
|18 |19
|Harvest Time |Harvest Time
|It's harvest time at the chateau. But there's still time for family wheelbarrow races, to give the basement a swish makeover, and to convert the old piggery into a coop for geese. |It's harvest time at the chateau. But there's still time for family wheelbarrow races, to give the basement a swish makeover, and to convert the old piggery into a coop for geese.
Line 237: Line 237:
|5 |5
|7 |7
|19 |20
|... at Christmas |... at Christmas
|Dick and Angel are preparing for a magical Christmas at the chateau, with festive treats for family and friends, including Dick's walnut wine and a super-sized Christmas tree. |Dick and Angel are preparing for a magical Christmas at the chateau, with festive treats for family and friends, including Dick's walnut wine and a super-sized Christmas tree.
Line 256: Line 256:
|6 |6
|1 |1
|20 |21
|Winter Returns |Winter Returns
|The 'down' season gives Dick and Angel time to construct an events kitchen from utility area and some dumping areas in the basement. One of the challenges: inserting an enormous oven. |The 'down' season gives Dick and Angel time to construct an events kitchen from utility area and some dumping areas in the basement. One of the challenges: inserting an enormous oven.
Line 263: Line 263:
|6 |6
|2 |2
|21 |22
|A Boat in the Moat |A Boat in the Moat
|Angel has bought a small canal boat that needs repair because it currently doesn't float. She also records some ancient wallpaper found under the stairs in the basement. Dick needs to finish the wild flower meadow. |Angel has bought a small canal boat that needs repair because it currently doesn't float. She also records some ancient wallpaper found under the stairs in the basement. Dick needs to finish the wild flower meadow.
Line 270: Line 270:
|6 |6
|3 |3
|22 |23
|Weddings & Aviaries |Weddings & Aviaries
|A circus tent arrives although it is the wedding season. Dick and Angel now have two giant aviaries and a water lily pond. |A circus tent arrives although it is the wedding season. Dick and Angel now have two giant aviaries and a water lily pond.
Line 277: Line 277:
|6 |6
|4 |4
|23 |24
|The Party of a Lifetime |The Party of a Lifetime
|In the heat of the French summer, if they didn't have enough to do, Dick and Angel are planning the party of a lifetime: 100 guests to celebrate Angel's parents' 50th wedding anniversary. Meanwhile, Dick travels to Wales to fetch a new vehicle. |In the heat of the French summer, if they didn't have enough to do, Dick and Angel are planning the party of a lifetime: 100 guests to celebrate Angel's parents' 50th wedding anniversary. Meanwhile, Dick travels to Wales to fetch a new vehicle.
Line 284: Line 284:
|6 |6
|5 |5
|24 |25
|Camper Van |Camper Van
|An end of summer event is due with a host of Citroen vans. Whilst Dick and Angel are preparing their latest acquisition - an ex-wedding bus they call 'Mademoiselle Daisy'. |An end of summer event is due with a host of Citroën vans. Whilst Dick and Angel are preparing their latest acquisition - an ex-wedding bus they call 'Mademoiselle Daisy'.
|1 December 2019 |1 December 2019
|- |-
|6 |6
|6 |6
|25 |26
|Autumn Renovation |Autumn Renovation
|Dick and Angel turn the chateau's old tack room into a grand entrance; they need to demolish walls and lay a new floor. |Dick and Angel turn the chateau's old tack room into a grand entrance; they need to demolish walls and lay a new floor.
Line 298: Line 298:
|6 |6
|7 |7
|26 |27
|Riverboat |Riverboat
|Dick and Angel embark on a new project: converting their newly-acquired riverboat into guest accommodation. |Dick and Angel embark on a new project: converting their newly-acquired riverboat into guest accommodation.
Line 305: Line 305:
|6 |6
|8 |8
|27 |28
|Escape to the Chateau at Christmas |Escape to the Chateau at Christmas
|Christmas comes again to the chateau with more Christmas crafts and fare; and with family, friends, and guests. |Christmas comes again to the chateau with more Christmas crafts and fare; and with family, friends, and guests.
Line 312: Line 312:


=== Series 7 === === Series 7 ===
Series 7 takes place during ] in France due to the ] and has no weddings or events at the Chateau.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/a32053393/escape-chateau-angel-adoree-dick-strawbridge-isolation-coronavirus-lockdown/| title=Dick and Angel Strawbridge talk rearranging wedding bookings amid coronavirus lockdown| first=Lisa| last=Walden| date=12 April 2020| website=housebeautiful.com| url-status=live| archive-date=3 March 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303150224/https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/a32053393/escape-chateau-angel-adoree-dick-strawbridge-isolation-coronavirus-lockdown/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://ca.hellomagazine.com/film/20201225103235/escape-to-chateau-dick-angel-strawbridge-reveal-lockdown-disappointment/| title=Escape to the Chateau's Dick and Angel Strawbridge talk 'disappointment' during lockdown| first=Francesca| last=Shillcock | date=25 December 2020| website=hellomagazine.com| archive-date=3 March 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303150203/https://ca.hellomagazine.com/film/20201225103235/escape-to-chateau-dick-angel-strawbridge-reveal-lockdown-disappointment/| url-status=live}}</ref> Series 7 takes place during ] in France due to the ] and there are no weddings or events at the Chateau.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/a32053393/escape-chateau-angel-adoree-dick-strawbridge-isolation-coronavirus-lockdown/ |title=Dick and Angel Strawbridge talk rearranging wedding bookings amid coronavirus lockdown |first=Lisa |last=Walden |date=12 April 2020 |website=housebeautiful.com |url-status=live |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303150224/https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/a32053393/escape-chateau-angel-adoree-dick-strawbridge-isolation-coronavirus-lockdown/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ca.hellomagazine.com/film/20201225103235/escape-to-chateau-dick-angel-strawbridge-reveal-lockdown-disappointment/ |title=Escape to the Chateau's Dick and Angel Strawbridge talk 'disappointment' during lockdown |first=Francesca |last=Shillcock |date=25 December 2020 |website=hellomagazine.com |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303150203/https://ca.hellomagazine.com/film/20201225103235/escape-to-chateau-dick-angel-strawbridge-reveal-lockdown-disappointment/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|+Episode List<ref name="episodes" /> |+Episode List<ref name="episodes" />
Line 324: Line 324:
|7 |7
|1 |1
|28 |29
|Supersized Workshop |Supersized Workshop
|It's been a long, hot, challenging summer and with no guests, weddings or events at the chateau, Dick and Angel tackle their never-ending to-do list, starting with one of the old outbuildings. |It's been a long, hot, challenging summer and with no guests, weddings or events at the chateau, Dick and Angel tackle their never-ending to-do list, starting with one of the old outbuildings.
Line 331: Line 331:
|7 |7
|2 |2
|29 |30
|Sloe Gin, Library & Ceiling Rose |Sloe Gin, Library & Ceiling Rose
|Dick is determined to make sloe gin with the last of the berries. Angel gets to work creating a library in the pepper pot tower and brings a ceiling rose back to its former glory. |Dick is determined to make sloe gin with the last of the berries. Angel gets to work creating a library in the pepper pot tower and brings a ceiling rose back to its former glory.
Line 338: Line 338:
|7 |7
|3 |3
|30 |31
|Wash House, Trench & Vintage Bike |Wash House, Trench & Vintage Bike
|Dick and Angel start work on turning the old wash house into a bathroom for their boat on the moat. Angel's imagination runs wild when they discover a huge trench. And a vintage bike gets a refurb. |Dick and Angel start work on turning the old wash house into a bathroom for their boat on the moat. Angel's imagination runs wild when they discover a huge trench. And a vintage bike gets a refurb.
Line 345: Line 345:
|7 |7
|4 |4
|31 |32
|Orangery, Daybeds & Unexpected History |Orangery, Daybeds & Unexpected History
|With no guests to entertain, Dick and Angel get to work on the orangery with the help of a roofing expert and some pre-loved Welsh slate, and discover some unexpected history beneath their feet. |With no guests to entertain, Dick and Angel get to work on the orangery with the help of a roofing expert and some pre-loved Welsh slate, and discover some unexpected history beneath their feet.
Line 352: Line 352:
|7 |7
|5 |5
|32 |33
|Pop-Up Restaurant, Orangery, Celebration |Pop-Up Restaurant, Orangery, Celebration
|The whole family help to build an open kitchen and create a pop-up restaurant in the orangery to celebrate Dick and Angel's fifth wedding anniversary. Plus: a special fairy-tale carriage delivery. |The whole family help to build an open kitchen and create a pop-up restaurant in the orangery to celebrate Dick and Angel's fifth wedding anniversary. Plus: a special fairy-tale carriage delivery.
Line 359: Line 359:
|7 |7
|6 |6
|33 |34
|Escape to the Chateau at Christmas |Escape to the Chateau at Christmas
|In this festive special, the Strawbridges take inspiration from Christmases past in a 19th-century ledger that they find in the attic, and create a winter wonderland complete with an ice rink. |In this festive special, the Strawbridges take inspiration from Christmases past in a 19th-century ledger that they find in the attic, and create a winter wonderland complete with an ice rink.
|25 December 2020 |25 December 2020
|}

=== Series 8 ===

{| class="wikitable"
|+Episode List<ref name="episodes" />
!Season
!Number
!Overall Number
!Title
!Description
!Initial Air Date
|-
|8
|1
|35
|Gardening and the Coach House<ref></ref>
|Dick, Angel, Arthur and Dorothy share more enchanting tales from the Chateau, as they continue the renovation of their 19th-century fairytale home and grounds. With weddings and events on hold for the second year, Dick and Angel bite the bullet and make the big decision to tackle the exterior of the Chateau. The roof and outside walls are their biggest project to date and the Chateau quickly becomes a building site.
|24 October 2021
|-
|8
|2
|36
|Chateau Roof and the ...
|Dick and Angel start work on the biggest, messiest and most expensive job they've ever done at the Chateau - repairing, re-tiling and re-insulating the whole of the original roof. They also transform the preserves cupboard and go hunting in the walled garden for ingredients to make home-grown mint tea and rainbow sweetcorn relish.
|31 October 2021
|-
|8
|3
|37
|Great British Garden Party
|Dick and Angel throw a garden party for Arthur and Dorothy's friends, with traditional games including handmade giant dominoes and a treasure hunt around the Chateau grounds. Angela makes a layered jelly with ice cream and another of her specialities - rose petal and honey sandwiches. Meanwhile, the scaffolding arrives and work can start on re-slating the Chateau roof for the first time in 150 years.
|7 November 2021
|-
|8
|4
|38
|Storage & Memory...
|Arthur and Dorothy are now seven and eight, and growing up fast. They will soon need separate bedrooms - so Angel comes up with an ingenious plan to create a mezzanine. As the re-slating of the roof continues, Dick and Angel not only launch into knocking down walls and building new ones but preserving old wallpaper, creating memory furnishings from the kids' old clothes, as well as finding time to pick some strawberries in the garden.
|14 November 2021
|-
|8
|5
|39
|Attic & a Celestial-Inspired Sky Bar
|Angel discovers that the chateau has a vast attic space running the length of the building and rising to the ridge of the roof. While Dick is glad to have some more storage space, Angel has bigger plans - transforming it into a space-inspired bar complete with balconies from which they can watch the stars. The project will require skylights, a new staircase and unique use of insulation - but proves worth it when a cloudless night provides the perfect chance to look for shooting stars.
|28 November 2021
|-
|8
|6
|40
|Colour Boards, Rendering and Gadage
|Angel sets about restoring the Chateau's walls to their original glory using computer mock-ups to try to match the existing colour. Part of a traditional device used for making cider is discovered while clearing out the piggery, so the hunt is soon on to locate the rest of it. Inspired by the ancient piece of machinery, the family collects apples to make their very own juice.
|5 December 2021
|-
|8
|7
|41
|Chateau Roof, Front Door & Balustrade
|The wooden double front door with its delicate metal tracery, the metal awnings over the windows, and the stone balustrade edging the front steps, are all in a state of disrepair. Angel's father, a former jeweller, steps in to try to make a copy of the huge 150-year-old key to the front door. The family goes to the beach to collect razor clams.
|12 December 2021
|-
|8
|8
|42
|Escape to the Chateau at Christmas
|The Strawbridges visit the Alsace region of France, where they sample local delicacies. Once they're back at the chateau, they create a magical Christmas inspired by their trip.
|19 December 2021
|}

=== Series 9 ===
It’s ‘The Year of Celebrations’! Dick & Angel return for their ninth and final series.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Episode List<ref>{{Cite web |title=Escape to the Chateau {{!}} All 4 |url=https://www.channel4.com/programmes/escape-to-the-chateau/ |access-date=7 November 2022 |website=www.channel4.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Escape to the Château - Aired Order - All Seasons - TheTVDB.com |url=https://thetvdb.com/series/escape-to-the-chateau/allseasons/official |access-date=7 November 2022 |website=thetvdb.com}}</ref>
!Season
!Number
!Overall Number
!Title
!Description
!Initial Air Date
|-
|9
|1
|43
|Atelier de Mariage
|After two years of closure, the chateau is back open for business and making up for lost time, as Dick and Angel prepare for wedding season and the 'Atelier de Mariage' starts to take shape
|30 October 2022
|-
|9
|2
|44
|Natasha and Victoria's Big Wedding
|The chateau gets ready for its first wedding in over two years, as Dick and Arthur prep a seven-course wedding breakfast, and Angel and Dorothy create dried-petal confetti cones
|6 November 2022
|-
|9
|3
|45
|19th-Century Folly Retreat
|In the spring, the family turn their attention to the beloved walled garden. On the north-facing wall, there is something rather special hidden beneath the ivy that they would like to tackle; a 19th-century folly in need of renovation. Before Angel can transform the interior, Dick has to tackle the overgrown bamboo forest.
|13 November 2022
|-
|9
|4
|46
|Summer Kitchen
|The summer's drought and high temperatures have left the moat's water level lower than ever, and the family work together to save the fish. Over in the walled garden, the recent transformation of the folly has opened Dick and Angel's eyes to the potential of the area around it. They want to enhance the space by creating a new outdoor entertaining area.
|20 November 2022
|-
|9
|5
|47
|Bling Birthday Party
|After eight long years, the peach tree in the walled garden is finally fruiting, and Dick, Angel, Arthur, and Dorothy can't wait to try the very first peach ever grown by the Strawbridge family. Dick and Angel will also soon be hosting a very important 50th birthday party for one of their closest friends, Sophie, without whom they would never have met.
|27 November 2022
|-
|9
|6
|48
|Games Room and Hidden Treasure
|Dick and Angel visit one of the last unexplored areas of the attic. Among the dust and cobwebs, they uncover more of the chateau's unexpected treasures, including an old train set. With the children growing up fast, Dick and Angel want to create a place for them to call their own - a room filled with vintage games as well as new ones. Dick and Angel have bought a classic Renault 4CV dating back to the 1950s that's in need of restoration.
|4 December 2022
|-
|9
|7
|49
|Episode 7
|Dick and Angel create a conservatory-style winter garden room. Meanwhile, the chateau is busy hosting its biggest wedding ever, so there is also lots of organisation to do. Dick and Angel organise a huge Christmas party for all their family and friends, and it's time to sort out the invites - which involve fudge, sparkles and a tin can.
|11 December 2022
|-
|9
|8
|50
|Escape to the Chateau at Christmas
|The Strawbridges conclude their journey with a retrospective, using as a backdrop a bumper 'outdoor' extended family Christmas feast.
|18 December 2022
|} |}


Line 379: Line 515:
Episode 4 of the More 4 series seems to be the third episode of the original three-part Channel 4 series. Episode 4 of the More 4 series seems to be the third episode of the original three-part Channel 4 series.


=== Retrospective Series === === Retrospective series ===


An additional three episode retrospective series began showing in late 2019. These are: An additional three episode retrospective series began showing in late 2019. These are:
Line 388: Line 524:


== Background and production == == Background and production ==
Dick Strawbridge invited ] to join them documenting their journey in searching for a house. The couple had already spent four years searching for a home to bring up their two young children, Arthur and Dorothy. In contrast to many other home shows, the television coverage was never planned, but Channel 4 paid to document the journey which lifted some of the weight that such a large task would cost. This was in the form of the presenter's fee, in addition to the exposure from the show's advertising, which has allowed the business to uphold its popularity as a wedding and events venue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/jun/06/escape-to-the-chateau-review-an-inspiring-fairytale-about-crumbling-walls|title=Escape to the Chateau review: an inspiring fairytale about crumbling walls|last=Wollaston|first=Sam|date=2016-06-06|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-11-09}}</ref> Dick Strawbridge and Angel Adoree invited production company Spark Media to film them documenting their journey in searching for a house. The couple had already spent four years searching for a home to bring up their two young children, Arthur and Dorothy. The producers took the idea to all major broadcasters but were repeatedly rejected. Eventually Channel 4 agreed to a 3 part series to test the water. It was an instant hit with viewers. In contrast to many other home shows, the television coverage was never planned, but Channel 4 paid to document the couple's journey, which defrayed some of the expense of such a large task. The assistance was in the form of the presenter's fee, in addition to the exposure from the show's advertising, which allowed the business to build its popularity as a wedding and events venue.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/jun/06/escape-to-the-chateau-review-an-inspiring-fairytale-about-crumbling-walls |title=Escape to the Chateau review: an inspiring fairytale about crumbling walls |last=Wollaston |first=Sam |date=6 June 2016 |work=the Guardian |language=en |access-date=9 November 2018}}</ref>


The appeal of the show may be due to the affordability on face value and lack of demand for such French properties, which attracts many English house buyers. That was the same story with Dick and Angel, since when they first started house hunting in France, they were looking at more modest properties such as small farmhouses, until they realised that at such low prices, they could buy a castle.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/942991/escape-to-the-chateau-channel-4-home-help-france|title=How an Englishman’s home is his chateau! Channel 4 stars helping others|last=Stephenson|first=David|date=2018-04-08|work=Express.co.uk|access-date=2018-11-09|language=en}}</ref> For £280,000, they purchased a chateau that lists forty-five rooms, a walled garden and surrounded by a moat on a twelve-acre property, ten times larger than the average British house. However, the show makes viewers aware of the large restoration and running costs of such projects, which can become costly for people trying to make a business out of these castles.<ref name=":0" /> The appeal of the show might have been due to the apparent affordability and lack of demand for such French properties, which has attracted many British house buyers. That was the same story with Dick and Angel. When they first started house hunting in France, they were looking at more modest properties, such as small farmhouses, until they realised that at the prevailing low prices, they could buy a castle.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/942991/escape-to-the-chateau-channel-4-home-help-france |title=How an Englishman's home is his chateau! Channel 4 stars helping others |last=Stephenson |first=David |date=8 April 2018 |work=Express.co.uk |access-date=9 November 2018 |language=en}}</ref>


In 2015, for £280,000 ({{Inflation|UK|280000|2015|fmt=eq |cursign=£}}), they purchased a chateau, on a {{convert|12|acre|adj=on|lk=on|abbr=off}} property, that listed forty-five rooms, seven outbuildings and a walled garden, and was surrounded by a ], ten times larger than the average British house. Despite the apparent advantages, however, the show made viewers aware of the extent of the restoration and the running costs of such projects, which can become a problem for people trying to make a business out of such ventures, as well as the significant personal effort required.<ref name=":0" />
With policies on rehabilitating older houses introduced in the 1970s, the National Housing Agency (ANAH) was created to promote the improvement of older private dwellings, which can either improve or hinder the process.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Renewing Europe's housing|date=2015|publisher=Bristol University Press|isbn=9781447310129|editor-last=Turkington|editor-first=Richard|edition=1|doi=10.2307/j.ctt1t89c85|editor-last2=Watson|editor-first2=Christopher|url = http://vbn.aau.dk/da/publications/renewing-europes-housing(c9ceaf8f-01d2-4842-82c4-d24d8417cd38).html}}</ref> Another way to gather funds is through shareholdings schemes. This was seen in '']'' with the couple renovating Chateau de Jalesnes, who used wealthy French nationals as shareholders.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/property-news/buying/holiday-homes/escape-to-the-chateau-diy-the-london-couple-who-swapped-their-750k-london-flats-for-a-french-chateau-a119731.html|title=How a London couple raised £3.5m to restore a crumbling French chateau|date=2018-04-23|work=Homes and Property|access-date=2018-11-09|language=en-GB}}</ref> Another example was through a ] page that saved the 13th-century ] by receiving €500,000, which now has thousands of shareholders invested in its restoration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/05/la-mothe-chandeniers-the-french-chateau-now-with-7400-owners|title=La Mothe-Chandeniers - the French chateau now with 7,400 owners|last=Willsher|first=Kim|date=2017-12-05|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-11-09}}</ref>


===American broadcast=== ===American broadcast===
''Escape to the Chateau'' premiered in the ] on local PBS stations.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://pbswisconsin.org/series/escape-to-the-chateau/| title=Escape to the Chateau| website=pbswisconsin.org}}</ref> On December 5, 2020 episodes started to air on ]. The first one hour episode of the series was titled "Meet the Chateau", which featured Dick and Angel purchasing the property (including the walled garden), moving in, and then installing electricity and a heating system.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.hgtv.com/shows/escape-to-the-chateau-hgtv| title=Escape to the Chateau| website=hgtv.com}}</ref> ''Escape to the Chateau'' premiered in the ] on local PBS stations.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pbswisconsin.org/series/escape-to-the-chateau/ | title=Escape to the Chateau | website=pbswisconsin.org}}</ref>
On 5 December 2020, episodes started to air on ]. The first one-hour episode of the series was titled "Meet the Chateau", which featured Dick and Angel purchasing the property, including the walled garden, moving in, and then installing electricity and a heating system.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hgtv.com/shows/escape-to-the-chateau-hgtv |title=Escape to the Chateau |website=hgtv.com}}</ref>


=== History of Château de la Motte-Husson === === History of Château de la Motte-Husson ===
]
From the twelfth to fourteenth centuries, the site of the chateau was used as a fortified stronghold in the parish of La Motte. In 1406, the Husson family, '']s'' of Montgiroux, named the castle ].


{{stack|]}}
The Baglion de la Dufferie family<ref name="Baglion de la Dufferie">{{cite web |url=http://www.baglion.com/ |title=Baglion de la Dufferie |work=www.baglion.com |access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref> (a French branch of the ] family of ])<ref name=Bulletin>{{cite book|title=Bulletin de la Société héraldique et genéalogique de France|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1uY2AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA541|access-date=4 February 2020|year=1879|publisher=Société héraldique et genéalogique de France|location=Paris|language=fr|page=541}}</ref> acquired the estate in 1600. After that, it was rebuilt within the square moat during the period from 1868 to 1874. The current façade is reflective of the efforts of Countess Louise-Dorothée de Baglion de la Dufferie (1826–1902), who told her husband that she wanted a grand residence. The chateau served as a summer home for the family.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thechateau.tv/histoire|title=L'Histoire – By Dick Strawbridge|work=Thechateau.tv|access-date=2020-03-21|language=en-GB}}</ref>
{{main|Château de la Motte-Husson}}
From the 12th to 14th centuries, the site of the Chateau was used as a fortified stronghold in the parish of La Motte. In 1406, the ], '']s'' of Montgiroux, named the castle ].{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}


The Baglion de la Dufferie family<ref name="Baglion de la Dufferie">{{cite web |url=http://www.baglion.com/ |title=Baglion de la Dufferie |work=www.baglion.com |access-date=5 February 2020}}</ref> (a French branch of the ] family of ])<ref name=Bulletin>{{cite book|title=Bulletin de la Société héraldique et genéalogique de France|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1uY2AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA541|access-date=4 February 2020|year=1879|publisher=Société héraldique et genéalogique de France|location=Paris|language=fr|page=541}}</ref> acquired the estate in 1600. After that, it was rebuilt within the square moat during the period from 1868 to 1874. The current façade is reflective of the efforts of Countess ] (1826–1902), who told her husband that she wanted a grand residence. The chateau served as a summer home for the family.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thechateau.tv/histoire|title=L'Histoire – By Dick Strawbridge|work=Thechateau.tv|access-date=21 March 2020|language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Other series ==

== Related series ==


=== ''Escape to the Chateau DIY'' === === ''Escape to the Chateau DIY'' ===
'']'' follows Dick and Angel giving their tips to other Immigrants, including but not limited to British, Dutch and American immigrants in France trying to run a business from chateaux in a similar condition to their own. It follows their renovations and possibilities for generating profit. The show has four series. The initial broadcast was on 9 April 2018, and the third series concluded on 15 November 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.channel4.com/programmes/escape-to-the-chateau-diy|title=Escape to the Chateau: DIY - All 4|website=www.channel4.com|language=en|access-date=2018-10-19}}</ref> The fourth series commenced broadcasting on 20 March 2020. '']'' involves Dick and Angel giving their tips to other ]s in France, who are trying to run businesses from châteaux in conditions similar to their own. The series documents various renovations and looks at possibilities for generating profit. The show was planned to have four series. The initial broadcast was on 9 April 2018, and the third series concluded on 15 November 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.channel4.com/programmes/escape-to-the-chateau-diy |title=Escape to the Chateau: DIY - All 4 |website=www.channel4.com |language=en |access-date=19 October 2018}}</ref> The fourth series commenced broadcasting on 24 March 2020.<ref>{{Citation |title=Château DIY |date=9 April 2018 |url=https://www.episodate.com/tv-show/escape-to-the-chateau-diy |access-date=8 November 2023 |language=en}}</ref>


== References == == References ==
Line 418: Line 558:
{{DEFAULTSORT:Escape to the Chateau}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Escape to the Chateau}}
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 13:36, 5 January 2025

British television reality series

Escape to the Chateau
Château de la Motte-Husson in June 2019
GenreReality television
Narrated byTracy-Ann Oberman
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons9
No. of episodes50 (list of episodes)
Production
Production locationFrance
Running time47 minutes
Production companiesSpark Media Partners
Kindling Media
Original release
NetworkChannel 4
Release5 June 2016 (2016-06-05) –
18 December 2022 (2022-12-18)
Related
Chateau DIY

Escape to the Chateau is a Channel 4 reality television series, which follows the story of couple Dick Strawbridge and Angela ("Angel") Adoree and their family as they bought and renovated the 19th-century Château de la Motte-Husson, in Martigné-sur-Mayenne, France, while simultaneously raising two young children and starting a business hosting weddings and other events.

The first season followed Dick and Angel's quest to restore the derelict château from its uninhabitable state by installing running water, heating and electricity in the 45-room château, which had not been lived in for the previous forty years. They were working against a deadline – their own wedding – which was to be held at the property. The subsequent seasons of the program continued the story as they established their special events business, at the same time as renovating the château and its grounds. It also documented family events and milestones.

Nine series of the programme were filmed, with Series 9 first airing on Channel 4 in the UK on 30 October 2022. That was the final series.

Following the completion of the final series of Escape to the Chateau, Dick and Angel Strawbridge launched a weekly podcast titled Dick & Angel’s CHAT…EAU. The first episode launched on Global Player and other major podcast platforms on 1 November 2023, and is titled 112 Steps, 2 Turrets & 1 Tip. It involved the couple looking back at how they found their chateau and knew that it was "the one".

Cast information

Dick Strawbridge

Formerly a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army, engineer Dick Strawbridge appeared on numerous television shows, including It's Not Easy Being Green (2006), Coast (2006), Scrapheap Challenge (2009), The Hungry Sailors (2011), Saturday Farm (2011) and Dirty Rotten Survival (2015). In Escape to the Chateau, his engineering and cooking experience is highlighted, with his can-do attitude and mechanical expertise at the fore, as work on the château and its surrounding land continues through the seasons.

Angela ("Angel") Adoree

Adoree was born 7 April 1978 as Angela Newman and grew up on Canvey Island, where her family ran a jewellers' shop. She runs a hospitality business called The Vintage Patisserie, for which she sought investment when she appeared on the reality television business programme, Dragon's Den, in 2010. In 2015, the business relocated to Chateau-de-la-Motte Husson.

Adoree provided a creative factor and flair for the show, adding her style and interior-decoration skill to the château renovation, as well as sharing her interest in hospitality and entertaining.

The couple has two children, Arthur and Dorothy.

Episode list

Series 1

Episode List
Season Number Overall Number Title Description Initial Air Date
1 1 1 Hole in the Wall After years of searching we found our forever home, the derelict 19th century Chateau de la Motte Husson. Complete with a moat, pepper-pot turrets, and 200 pages of purchase documentation listing why not to buy The Chateau. This truly was 'The Beginning'! 5 June 2016
1 2 2 They're Our Flies It was time for us to move into The Chateau and the transformation of bringing life back into those substantial walls began. We have a wedding to plan and a Chateau to renovate all in 9 months which we quickly realized is not really that long away at all! 12 June 2016
1 3 3 Angel's Palace of Dreams Walls are being knocked through and turrets transformed into museums. Dinner is served in our new downstairs kitchen and the kids have a new helter skelter to explore. 19 June 2016
1 4 4 A Pineapple Chandelier, a Moat & a Wedding Our wedding is drawing ever closer and we are determined to renovate nearly 3 floors of The Chateau into beautiful rooms before our big day. 26 June 2016

Series 2

Episode List
Season Number Overall Number Title Description Initial Air Date
2 1 5 Pig Roaster and Versailles Loo The couple begins to grow their events business at the chateau. Dick prepares for their first paid event by making a DIY pig-roaster. Family life also expands with their three-year-old son Arthur’s first day at school. Angel creates a Versailles-inspired downstairs toilet. 27 November 2016
2 2 6 Fishing, Foraging and an Elevator Dick and Angel want to enhance their money-making prospects with the possibility of fishing in the moat and installing a lift in the turret. 4 December 2016
2 3 7 Christmas at the Chateau Christmas is coming. Angel prepares the Christmas festivities and Dick prepares the food, in time for the family coming from England. 11 December 2016

Series 3

Episode List
Season Number Overall Number Title Description Initial Air Date
3 1 8 Only 20 Rooms to Go Angel and Dick keep working on the 20 rooms that still need fixing. 24 September 2017
3 2 9 Spring Dick tries to tackle his walled garden. Angel creates a boudoir in the castle. Guests propose during a food event. 1 October 2017
3 3 10 The Wedding Season The wedding season is approaching, so Dick needs to clean out and prepare the barn for the events. 8 October 2017

Series 4

Episode List
Season Number Overall Number Title Description Initial Air Date
4 1 11 Weddings, Stables & Staircases A busy summer with seven weddings and 14 food-lovers' weekends to prepare, as well as fixing the stables and gardens. 18 March 2018
4 2 12 Harvest and Birthday Angel plans for a floating geodesic dome over the moat. They celebrate Dick’s birthday. 25 March 2018
4 3 13 A Floating Dome Dick tackles the chateau's crumbling stucco while Angel finishes the geodesic dome over the moat. The family use it well with a campout under the stars. 1 April 2018

Series 5

Episode List
Season Number Overall Number Title Description Initial Air Date
5 1 14 Glamping Dick and Angel throw open the shutters of their French chateau for a new season, as they work to create a luxury glamping experience and contend with frequent rainshowers. 11 November 2018
5 2 15 In the Attic Angel plans a stunning attic studio. She and Dorothy go on a mother-daughter trip to Paris and Dick's busy in the outbuildings. There's a surprise birthday event - with popcorn. 18 November 2018
5 3 16 Parkour & Turret Angel creates a series of rooms in the chateau's pepper-pot turret. Dick opens up a parkour fitness trail in the grounds, but he hits an unexpected snag. 25 November 2018
5 4 17 Peak Summer It's the height of summer and the heat is on for Dick and Angel, with the peak of the events season, wedding cakes melting, school holidays, a boating lake, and a leaky boat. 2 December 2018
5 5 18 Cafe Grandma Before winter sets in, Dick ploughs the wildflower meadow and joins with Angel in bringing the dilapidated coach house back to life, in a bid to create 'Cafe Grandma'. 9 December 2018
5 6 19 Harvest Time It's harvest time at the chateau. But there's still time for family wheelbarrow races, to give the basement a swish makeover, and to convert the old piggery into a coop for geese. 16 December 2018
5 7 20 ... at Christmas Dick and Angel are preparing for a magical Christmas at the chateau, with festive treats for family and friends, including Dick's walnut wine and a super-sized Christmas tree. 23 December 2018

Series 6

Episode List
Season Number Overall Number Title Description Initial Air Date
6 1 21 Winter Returns The 'down' season gives Dick and Angel time to construct an events kitchen from utility area and some dumping areas in the basement. One of the challenges: inserting an enormous oven. 3 November 2019
6 2 22 A Boat in the Moat Angel has bought a small canal boat that needs repair because it currently doesn't float. She also records some ancient wallpaper found under the stairs in the basement. Dick needs to finish the wild flower meadow. 10 November 2019
6 3 23 Weddings & Aviaries A circus tent arrives although it is the wedding season. Dick and Angel now have two giant aviaries and a water lily pond. 17 November 2019
6 4 24 The Party of a Lifetime In the heat of the French summer, if they didn't have enough to do, Dick and Angel are planning the party of a lifetime: 100 guests to celebrate Angel's parents' 50th wedding anniversary. Meanwhile, Dick travels to Wales to fetch a new vehicle. 24 November 2019
6 5 25 Camper Van An end of summer event is due with a host of Citroën vans. Whilst Dick and Angel are preparing their latest acquisition - an ex-wedding bus they call 'Mademoiselle Daisy'. 1 December 2019
6 6 26 Autumn Renovation Dick and Angel turn the chateau's old tack room into a grand entrance; they need to demolish walls and lay a new floor. 8 December 2019
6 7 27 Riverboat Dick and Angel embark on a new project: converting their newly-acquired riverboat into guest accommodation. 15 December 2019
6 8 28 Escape to the Chateau at Christmas Christmas comes again to the chateau with more Christmas crafts and fare; and with family, friends, and guests. 22 December 2019

Series 7

Series 7 takes place during lockdown in France due to the COVID-19 pandemic and there are no weddings or events at the Chateau.

Episode List
Season Number Overall Number Title Description Initial Air Date
7 1 29 Supersized Workshop It's been a long, hot, challenging summer and with no guests, weddings or events at the chateau, Dick and Angel tackle their never-ending to-do list, starting with one of the old outbuildings. 15 November 2020
7 2 30 Sloe Gin, Library & Ceiling Rose Dick is determined to make sloe gin with the last of the berries. Angel gets to work creating a library in the pepper pot tower and brings a ceiling rose back to its former glory. 22 November 2020
7 3 31 Wash House, Trench & Vintage Bike Dick and Angel start work on turning the old wash house into a bathroom for their boat on the moat. Angel's imagination runs wild when they discover a huge trench. And a vintage bike gets a refurb. 29 November 2020
7 4 32 Orangery, Daybeds & Unexpected History With no guests to entertain, Dick and Angel get to work on the orangery with the help of a roofing expert and some pre-loved Welsh slate, and discover some unexpected history beneath their feet. 6 December 2020
7 5 33 Pop-Up Restaurant, Orangery, Celebration The whole family help to build an open kitchen and create a pop-up restaurant in the orangery to celebrate Dick and Angel's fifth wedding anniversary. Plus: a special fairy-tale carriage delivery. 13 December 2020
7 6 34 Escape to the Chateau at Christmas In this festive special, the Strawbridges take inspiration from Christmases past in a 19th-century ledger that they find in the attic, and create a winter wonderland complete with an ice rink. 25 December 2020

Series 8

Episode List
Season Number Overall Number Title Description Initial Air Date
8 1 35 Gardening and the Coach House Dick, Angel, Arthur and Dorothy share more enchanting tales from the Chateau, as they continue the renovation of their 19th-century fairytale home and grounds. With weddings and events on hold for the second year, Dick and Angel bite the bullet and make the big decision to tackle the exterior of the Chateau. The roof and outside walls are their biggest project to date and the Chateau quickly becomes a building site. 24 October 2021
8 2 36 Chateau Roof and the ... Dick and Angel start work on the biggest, messiest and most expensive job they've ever done at the Chateau - repairing, re-tiling and re-insulating the whole of the original roof. They also transform the preserves cupboard and go hunting in the walled garden for ingredients to make home-grown mint tea and rainbow sweetcorn relish. 31 October 2021
8 3 37 Great British Garden Party Dick and Angel throw a garden party for Arthur and Dorothy's friends, with traditional games including handmade giant dominoes and a treasure hunt around the Chateau grounds. Angela makes a layered jelly with ice cream and another of her specialities - rose petal and honey sandwiches. Meanwhile, the scaffolding arrives and work can start on re-slating the Chateau roof for the first time in 150 years. 7 November 2021
8 4 38 Storage & Memory... Arthur and Dorothy are now seven and eight, and growing up fast. They will soon need separate bedrooms - so Angel comes up with an ingenious plan to create a mezzanine. As the re-slating of the roof continues, Dick and Angel not only launch into knocking down walls and building new ones but preserving old wallpaper, creating memory furnishings from the kids' old clothes, as well as finding time to pick some strawberries in the garden. 14 November 2021
8 5 39 Attic & a Celestial-Inspired Sky Bar Angel discovers that the chateau has a vast attic space running the length of the building and rising to the ridge of the roof. While Dick is glad to have some more storage space, Angel has bigger plans - transforming it into a space-inspired bar complete with balconies from which they can watch the stars. The project will require skylights, a new staircase and unique use of insulation - but proves worth it when a cloudless night provides the perfect chance to look for shooting stars. 28 November 2021
8 6 40 Colour Boards, Rendering and Gadage Angel sets about restoring the Chateau's walls to their original glory using computer mock-ups to try to match the existing colour. Part of a traditional device used for making cider is discovered while clearing out the piggery, so the hunt is soon on to locate the rest of it. Inspired by the ancient piece of machinery, the family collects apples to make their very own juice. 5 December 2021
8 7 41 Chateau Roof, Front Door & Balustrade The wooden double front door with its delicate metal tracery, the metal awnings over the windows, and the stone balustrade edging the front steps, are all in a state of disrepair. Angel's father, a former jeweller, steps in to try to make a copy of the huge 150-year-old key to the front door. The family goes to the beach to collect razor clams. 12 December 2021
8 8 42 Escape to the Chateau at Christmas The Strawbridges visit the Alsace region of France, where they sample local delicacies. Once they're back at the chateau, they create a magical Christmas inspired by their trip. 19 December 2021

Series 9

It’s ‘The Year of Celebrations’! Dick & Angel return for their ninth and final series.

Episode List
Season Number Overall Number Title Description Initial Air Date
9 1 43 Atelier de Mariage After two years of closure, the chateau is back open for business and making up for lost time, as Dick and Angel prepare for wedding season and the 'Atelier de Mariage' starts to take shape 30 October 2022
9 2 44 Natasha and Victoria's Big Wedding The chateau gets ready for its first wedding in over two years, as Dick and Arthur prep a seven-course wedding breakfast, and Angel and Dorothy create dried-petal confetti cones 6 November 2022
9 3 45 19th-Century Folly Retreat In the spring, the family turn their attention to the beloved walled garden. On the north-facing wall, there is something rather special hidden beneath the ivy that they would like to tackle; a 19th-century folly in need of renovation. Before Angel can transform the interior, Dick has to tackle the overgrown bamboo forest. 13 November 2022
9 4 46 Summer Kitchen The summer's drought and high temperatures have left the moat's water level lower than ever, and the family work together to save the fish. Over in the walled garden, the recent transformation of the folly has opened Dick and Angel's eyes to the potential of the area around it. They want to enhance the space by creating a new outdoor entertaining area. 20 November 2022
9 5 47 Bling Birthday Party After eight long years, the peach tree in the walled garden is finally fruiting, and Dick, Angel, Arthur, and Dorothy can't wait to try the very first peach ever grown by the Strawbridge family. Dick and Angel will also soon be hosting a very important 50th birthday party for one of their closest friends, Sophie, without whom they would never have met. 27 November 2022
9 6 48 Games Room and Hidden Treasure Dick and Angel visit one of the last unexplored areas of the attic. Among the dust and cobwebs, they uncover more of the chateau's unexpected treasures, including an old train set. With the children growing up fast, Dick and Angel want to create a place for them to call their own - a room filled with vintage games as well as new ones. Dick and Angel have bought a classic Renault 4CV dating back to the 1950s that's in need of restoration. 4 December 2022
9 7 49 Episode 7 Dick and Angel create a conservatory-style winter garden room. Meanwhile, the chateau is busy hosting its biggest wedding ever, so there is also lots of organisation to do. Dick and Angel organise a huge Christmas party for all their family and friends, and it's time to sort out the invites - which involve fudge, sparkles and a tin can. 11 December 2022
9 8 50 Escape to the Chateau at Christmas The Strawbridges conclude their journey with a retrospective, using as a backdrop a bumper 'outdoor' extended family Christmas feast. 18 December 2022

Variant series

A second version of series 1 was shown on More 4.

  • Episode 1 is called "Hole in the Wall" (26 June 2016).
  • Episode 2 is called "They're our Flies" (3 July 2016).
  • Episode 3 is called "Angel's Palace of Dreams" (10 July 2016).

More 4 has shown these additional episodes as "an extended four-part version of series one". These are described as follows:

  • "S1 Ep1/4 - Dick Strawbridge and Angel buy a fairy tale French chateau and set about bringing the abandoned building back to life",
  • "S1 Ep2/4 - Dick, Angel and the family move into their crumbling chateau, which they find home to bats, birds and thousands of flies",
  • "S1 Ep3/4 - Wanting to create a stunning honeymoon suite, Angel asks Dick to smash a hole in the three-feet-thick castle wall", and
  • "S1 Ep3/3 - Dick and Angel are due to marry in just a few weeks, expecting 200 guests. But room after room still needs to be restored, decorated and furnished, and the moat needs damming."

Episode 4 of the More 4 series seems to be the third episode of the original three-part Channel 4 series.

Retrospective series

An additional three episode retrospective series began showing in late 2019. These are:

  • Episode 1 is called "Escape to the Chateau : Restoring the Dream" (26 November 2019).
  • Episode 2 is called "Escape to the Chateau : Designing the Dream" (2 December 2019).
  • Episode 3 is called "Escape to the Chateau : The Great Outdoors" (9 December 2019).

These covered events during the first five years.

Background and production

Dick Strawbridge and Angel Adoree invited production company Spark Media to film them documenting their journey in searching for a house. The couple had already spent four years searching for a home to bring up their two young children, Arthur and Dorothy. The producers took the idea to all major broadcasters but were repeatedly rejected. Eventually Channel 4 agreed to a 3 part series to test the water. It was an instant hit with viewers. In contrast to many other home shows, the television coverage was never planned, but Channel 4 paid to document the couple's journey, which defrayed some of the expense of such a large task. The assistance was in the form of the presenter's fee, in addition to the exposure from the show's advertising, which allowed the business to build its popularity as a wedding and events venue.

The appeal of the show might have been due to the apparent affordability and lack of demand for such French properties, which has attracted many British house buyers. That was the same story with Dick and Angel. When they first started house hunting in France, they were looking at more modest properties, such as small farmhouses, until they realised that at the prevailing low prices, they could buy a castle.

In 2015, for £280,000 (equivalent to £392,165 in 2023), they purchased a chateau, on a 12-acre (4.9-hectare) property, that listed forty-five rooms, seven outbuildings and a walled garden, and was surrounded by a moat, ten times larger than the average British house. Despite the apparent advantages, however, the show made viewers aware of the extent of the restoration and the running costs of such projects, which can become a problem for people trying to make a business out of such ventures, as well as the significant personal effort required.

American broadcast

Escape to the Chateau premiered in the United States on local PBS stations.

On 5 December 2020, episodes started to air on HGTV. The first one-hour episode of the series was titled "Meet the Chateau", which featured Dick and Angel purchasing the property, including the walled garden, moving in, and then installing electricity and a heating system.

History of Château de la Motte-Husson

Château de la Motte-Husson (1910).
Main article: Château de la Motte-Husson

From the 12th to 14th centuries, the site of the Chateau was used as a fortified stronghold in the parish of La Motte. In 1406, the Husson family, seigneurs of Montgiroux, named the castle Château de la Motte-Husson.

The Baglion de la Dufferie family (a French branch of the Baglioni family of Perugia) acquired the estate in 1600. After that, it was rebuilt within the square moat during the period from 1868 to 1874. The current façade is reflective of the efforts of Countess Louise-Dorothée de Baglion de la Dufferie (1826–1902), who told her husband that she wanted a grand residence. The chateau served as a summer home for the family.

Related series

Escape to the Chateau DIY

Escape to the Chateau DIY involves Dick and Angel giving their tips to other expatriates in France, who are trying to run businesses from châteaux in conditions similar to their own. The series documents various renovations and looks at possibilities for generating profit. The show was planned to have four series. The initial broadcast was on 9 April 2018, and the third series concluded on 15 November 2019. The fourth series commenced broadcasting on 24 March 2020.

References

  1. Conlon, Scarlett (29 October 2022). "Castle life: what's next for Escape to the Chateau's Dick and Angel?". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  2. "Escape to the Chateau's Dick & Angel Strawbridge launch new podcast". House Beautiful. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  3. "Dick & Angel's Chat...Eau - Podcast". Global Player. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  4. Robinson, Emma. "Celeb returns home to open family shop". Echo. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  5. "About Vintage Patisserie". Vintage Patisserie. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  6. Robertson, Charles. "BBC - Dragons' Den - Entrepreneurs - Angela Newman". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  7. ^ Fox-Leonard, Boudicca (4 June 2016). "We bought a crumbling French château - but restoring it was no fairytale". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  8. "My Vintage Wardrobe: Angel Adoree, Owner Of The Vintage Patisserie". HuffPost UK. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  9. "Dick and Angel Strawbridge open up about children's future plans for the chateau". hellomagazine.com. 16 January 2021. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Escape to the Chateau - Episode Guide - All 4". www.channel4.com. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  11. Walden, Lisa (12 April 2020). "Dick and Angel Strawbridge talk rearranging wedding bookings amid coronavirus lockdown". housebeautiful.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021.
  12. Shillcock, Francesca (25 December 2020). "Escape to the Chateau's Dick and Angel Strawbridge talk 'disappointment' during lockdown". hellomagazine.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021.
  13. Dick and Angel Strawbridge's Escape to the Chateau season 8: start time, date & highlights
  14. "Escape to the Chateau | All 4". www.channel4.com. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  15. "Escape to the Château - Aired Order - All Seasons - TheTVDB.com". thetvdb.com. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  16. Wollaston, Sam (6 June 2016). "Escape to the Chateau review: an inspiring fairytale about crumbling walls". the Guardian. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  17. Stephenson, David (8 April 2018). "How an Englishman's home is his chateau! Channel 4 stars helping others". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  18. "Escape to the Chateau". pbswisconsin.org.
  19. "Escape to the Chateau". hgtv.com.
  20. "Baglion de la Dufferie". www.baglion.com. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  21. Bulletin de la Société héraldique et genéalogique de France (in French). Paris: Société héraldique et genéalogique de France. 1879. p. 541. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  22. "L'Histoire – By Dick Strawbridge". Thechateau.tv. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  23. "Escape to the Chateau: DIY - All 4". www.channel4.com. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  24. Château DIY, 9 April 2018, retrieved 8 November 2023

External links

Categories:
Escape to the Chateau: Difference between revisions Add topic